The Toronto Maple Leafs have had to make due without the services of goaltender Anthony Stolarz for several months now, as he hasn’t played since the second week of November against the Boston Bruins and has been absent because of what was later revealed as a nerve issue.
But now, Stolarz is set to make his return to the Toronto lineup. After a short conditioning stint with the American Hockey League affiliate Toronto Marlies, the Maple Leafs have announced that Stolarz has been activated from Injured Reserve.
Conversely, goaltender Dennis Hildeby, who had been called up to the Leafs from the Marlies in Stolarz’s absence, has been returned to the AHL.
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The Toronto Maple Leafs Have Not Had Anthony Stolarz Since Early November
Stolarz, who had been back practicing with the Maple Leafs and also had a short conditioning stint with the Toronto Marlies, will provide a major boost to the Leafs’ lineup.
“It’s a huge boost, he’s been working hard and he’s ready to go so we have to get him in there at some point,” coach Craig Berube said. “So he’s ready to go and we are very happy he is back.”
“Going back to last year, what (Stolarz) did for us, and even at the beginning of this year before all this went down, I mean, he’s a huge part of this team,” Berube continued.
“That goaltending tandem (Woll and Stolarz) is very good. It’s a huge boost for the team, and it’s great for him, getting back, and he’s excited.”
Before his injury that has kept him out of the lineup, Stolarz amassed a record of 6-5-1 with a 3.51 goals-against average, a .884 save percentage, and is still looking to earn his first shutout of the season.
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Anthony Stolarz Explained That It Was A Nerve Issue That Kept Him From The Lineup
Last week, Stolarz revealed that it was a nerve issue that was the source of his absence from the lineup, and that he needed to let it “settle down” a bit.
“I had to kind of let it settle down a little bit,” Stolarz said. “It’s not like a bruise where it goes away. It was just something that I just kind of had to let heal on its own. And, you know, it just took a little while.”
Stolarz, who is playing in his second season with the Maple Leafs and was recently awarded a three-year contract extension, will split playing time with fellow goaltender Joseph Woll.
Maple Leafs Release Crucial Update On Goaltender Anthony Stolarz