Defenseman Travis Dermott was selected 34th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. The 22 year old Newmarket native started off his career in the blue and white playing in the OHL for his last year with the Erie Otters. He played 51 games while recording 6 goals and 43 points with a +36 +/-. He also added 14 more points in the playoffs.

In the 2016-17 AHL season, Dermott was called up from the OHL to play for the Toronto Marlies. He played 59 games and recorded 5 goals and 24 points with a +9 +/-. He added 5 more points in the playoffs.

Last year is when Dermott’s development took a big leap when he was placed on the first D pairing on the Marlies in the 2017-18 AHL season. He recorded 2 goals and 18 points in 28 played games with a +15 +/- while being on the ice against top competition.

In the last 37 games of the 2017-18 NHL season, Dermott was called up and played sheltered minutes on the 3rd D pairing with former Leaf Roman Polak. Dermott excelled and really brought attention onto him throughout these limited games and in the playoffs. Dermott recorded 1 goal and 13 points in his first few games in the NHL. He also scored his first career NHL playoff goal in Game 7 against the Bruins last year.

This year, Dermott made the NHL team out of training camp and has seen more playing time while given more responsibility. He recently has had the chance to play in the top 4 alongside Nikita Zaitsev while Jake Gardiner is out with an injury. Dermott took the chance and excelled as he has been seen as arguably the Leafs’ best defenseman (defensively) in the past few games. Dermott looks to slot his way into the top 4 soon permanently if he continues his outstanding play.

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