Leafs bring one of their rookie invitees to main camp this week

The Leafs had only a few invitees at the rookie event this year, and so far one undrafted defender has been invited to the main camp.

Marc-Olivier Duquette, an undrafted 19 year old defender from the QMJHL was invited to participate in the Leafs rookie tournament last weekend. He has now been invited to the main training camp according to a report in L’Express.

Duquette is a left-shooting defender, 6’4” and 200 lbs. He has played only one full season in the Q, for the Drummondville Voltigeurs.

He spoke to L’Express [translation by Google]:

"The arrival of the veterans makes a big difference on the level of play. Most of them are men, so stronger, bigger, quicker and above all more experienced. I immediately saw the difference, "said Duquette, who is looking for a first contract among professionals.

He could return to the Voltigeurs for another season, but getting a longer look during an NHL training camp is a great opportunity for a player who seems to have been a late bloomer so far in his hockey career.

The Leafs training camp begins on Thursday with medicals in Toronto before moving to Niagara Falls, so we expect to learn Wednesday who amongst the drafted players at the rookie tournament are sticking around for a little more attention from the coaches.