By Troy Gillard (Twitter: @Troy_Gillard)

Calder Cup champ Nielsen excited to battle for Leafs roster spot

Aug 22, 2018 | 12:46 PM

Red Deer’s Andrew Nielsen is enjoying the fun that comes with being a Calder Cup champion. But he’s also gearing up for an important year in his hockey career.

Nielsen and the Toronto Marlies captured the American Hockey League title this past spring, defeating the Texas Stars in the league final. 

Toronto capped off the finals series by downing the Stars 6-1 in the decisive seventh game oto the delight of the towel-waving sellout crowd at Ricoh Coliseum.

It’s a moment Nielsen won’t soon forget, and it’s one he’s sharing this week as he’s brought the cup to Red Deer to share with family, friends and hockey fans.

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The victory capped a dream campaign for the top development team of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Marlies led the AHL with 112 points in the regular season and continued their strong play in the post-season.

Now with training camp less than a month away, Nielsen has his sights set on taking his career to the next level. 

He’s had two full seasons in the AHL with the Marlies, including 2017-18 in which he collected 26 points in 65 regular season games, and is excited to battle for an NHL gig with the Maple Leafs.

The Leafs are a team filled with talented forwards but have room on defence for a young player like Nielsen to step up and earn a roster spot, and that’s exactly what he hopes to do.

(Nielsen and the Calder Cup will be at the Servus Arena this afternoon from 4-6 p.m.)