Maple Leafs Prospect Pontus Holmberg Among Others Absent From Marlies Practice

Originally posted on FanNation Inside The Maple Leafs
By Nick Barden | Last updated 10/19/23

The Marlies practiced on Wednesday with a few faces missing from the group.

During Sunday's game against the Utica Comets, Roni Hirvonen took a stick to the face and went immediately to the Marlies dressing room.

"We just hope he's okay. That's our number one concern," said Marlies head coach John Gruden post-game on Sunday. "Hopefully, it's nothing too serious and we get him back sooner than later."

Hirvonen wasn't on the ice for Thursday's practice but was seen watching from just outside the Marlies dressing room.

Pontus Holmberg was also absent from practice. He wasn't on the ice skating, nor was he watching the practice like Hirvonen was.

One player who did skate with the team was Bobby McMann — for about 15 minutes or so. I never saw what happened on the ice, but the 27-year-old left practice and didn't return.

With those three players missing, here's how the lines shaped up during the practice:

Robertson-Gambrell-Steeves
Abruzzese-Shaw-Solow
Mastrosimone-Slavin-Ellis
Clifford-Blandisi-Tverberg

Lajoie-Niemela
Rifai-Lajoie
Kokkonen-Miller
Pietroniro-Villeneuve

Jones, Petruzzelli, and Hildeby

There was no word on Thursday regarding the status of all three players as we did not speak with Gruden following the skate. An update will likely come after Friday's practice.

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This article first appeared on FanNation Inside The Maple Leafs and was syndicated with permission.

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