Alex Steeves Signs with Toronto Maple Leafs
Published on March 28, 2021 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release
TORONTO - Former Dubuque Fighting Saints forward and departing junior at the University of Notre Dame, Alex Steeves, has signed a three-year NHL Entry-Level contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Steeves played two successful seasons with the Fighting Saints (2016-18) and put his offensive skills on display for the Fighting Irish to lead his way into the NHL.
Steeves' contract marks the sixth introductory NHL contract signed by a Fighting Saints alumni in the past year (Nathan Sucese, Austin Rueschhoff, Matias Maccelli, Tyce Thompson, Josh Maniscalco, Alex Steeves).
"Alex works hard at his game and spends a lot of extra time trying to perfect his craft. That dedication enabled him to take massive steps in his development each USHL season," said Fighting Saints general manager Kalle Larsson. "Clearly, he has continued on the same path in college and found similar success at Notre Dame."
"Alex was a great Fighting Saint, and we are excited and proud of him as he moves onto the professional hockey ranks."
In Dubuque, Steeves took a quantum leap between seasons in offensive production. He put up 18 points in his second full season in the league and his first in Dubuque, but in 2017-18, led the team in scoring with 57 points in 55 games. His 57 points ranked seventh in league scoring, and his 37 assists ranked sixth. In that strong season as the team's leading scorer, he hit the ground running with a 10-game point streak between October 14 and November 24.
Steeves completed his USHL career as an incredible student as well as a tremendous athlete. He was not only named to the 2018 USHL All-Academic Team, but was the 2018 USHL Scholar Athlete, as the best student in the entire league with a 4.1 cumulative GPA at Dubuque Senior High School. Fellow Saints Jacob Semik and Aidan Fulp were also named to that list.
Steeves played in the 2018 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game and posted an assist in the game. He also played for Team USA in the World Junior A Challenge and won silver.
At South Bend, he continued his success. He was part of a Big Ten championship in his freshman season with fellow Fighting Saint alum Colin Theisen. His magnum opus came as a junior with 32 points in 29 games, which earned him Second Team Big Ten All-Star consideration. He also remained a star in the classroom as Big Ten All-Academic in his freshman and sophomore seasons, and the American Hockey Coaches' Association's Krampade All-American Scholar award winner as a sophomore.
Steeves played with his older brother, Matt, a USHL alum, at Notre Dame, and his younger Brother, Ben, plays for the Sioux City Musketeers.
United States Hockey League Stories from March 28, 2021
- Gamblers Blank Black Hawks 5-0 - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Green Bay Dominates Waterloo - Green Bay Gamblers
- Force Fall to Lincoln in OT - Fargo Force
- Mayorov Scores Twice, Stars Beat Fargo 3-2 in OT - Lincoln Stars
- Musketeers Top Lancers, 5-3 - Omaha Lancers
- Musketeers Down Omaha; Win Fourth in a Row - Sioux City Musketeers
- Alex Steeves Signs with Toronto Maple Leafs - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Stars Stifle Omaha 5-2 - Lincoln Stars
- Gameday Preview: 3-27-21 vs. Omaha - Lincoln Stars
- Steel Extend Point Streak But Fall 4-3 in Shootout - Chicago Steel
- Green Bay Gets Back on Track - Green Bay Gamblers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
