Ryan Tverberg

January 2024 – Tverberg has been on a tear in his first professional season. He is currently producing at a point-per-game pace with 20 points in 20 games, including a four-goal performance against the Belleville Senators in mid-January. Tverberg is one of the most projectable prospects in the Leafs system and he could see a chance in their bottom-six by 2024-25. Curtis Rines

March 2023 – The Maple Leafs have announced that Tverberg has been signed to a three-year entry-level contract that will begin in 2023-24. Tverberg will be assigned to the Toronto Marlies for the remainder of the regular season and the duration of the Calder Cup Playoffs. The 21-year-old forward recorded 15 goals and 30 points in 35 games this season with the University of Connecticut. Curtis Rines

May 2022 – Tverberg had a big season for UConn, leading the team with 14 goals in 32 games and adding 18 assists to finish second in overall team scoring. His strong play earned him a nod on Hockey East’s First All-Star Team and he was also named a Second-Team All-American. Tverberg’s play for the Huskies has helped him quickly climb the Leafs’ prospect ranks and he has provided strong early returns for the organization after they traded back into the final round of the 2020 draft to select him. He will return to UConn for his junior season and if he is able to build upon his 2021-22 campaign, he could find himself in consideration for an entry level contract with the Leafs at season’s end. Nick Richard

December 2021 – Tverberg has had a dynamite start to his sophomore season at UConn, leading the team in both goals and points through the first two months of the schedule. He has become arguably their best player and his performance caught the eye of Hockey Canada’s staff, earning him an invitation to their World Junior selection camp.

As impressive as Tverberg has been for the Huskies this season, his inclusion on Canada’s preliminary roster came as a surprise. It has been a rapid ascent for a player the Leafs traded back into the seventh round to select in the 2020 draft but the way he plays the game has endeared him not only to his own coaches but to outside observers as well. He is still a long shot to make the team but don’t be surprised if Tverberg’s blend of physicality, speed, and scoring touch earn him a spot on the final roster. Nick Richard

August 2021 – The Leafs traded back into the seventh round of the 2020 draft with their eye on Ryan Tverberg, selecting him with the 213th overall pick. He was originally committed to Harvard for the 2021-2022 campaign and was slated to play in the BCHL last season but with that league not playing, and Harvard canceling winter sports for the year, the Leafs’ final selection in the 2020 draft changed his commitment to the University of Connecticut. Tverberg joined the Huskies for the second semester and got into 14 games, scoring a respectable four goals and three assists as a freshman.

Tverberg is a hardworking, two-way forward with good speed. He takes care of his defensive responsibilities, covering down low in his own zone and battling for contested pucks. He pushes the play in transition, jumping into passing lanes on the breakout and creating space for his teammates. Tverberg has good straight-line speed and can be difficult to contain when he gets a step out wide but his four-way mobility requires improvement. He doesn’t hesitate to engage physically and consistently plays the body on the forecheck, disrupting possession and forcing rushed decisions for opposing defenders. Tverberg might not have high-end offensive skill but he protects the puck well, carrying it in his hip pocket, and has a nose for the net where he is able to deflect shots or pounce on rebounds. Still very much a project, Tverberg’s motor and two-way game will make him an interesting player to monitor as he continues his collegiate career at UConn. Nick Richard