Maple Leafs Sign 2nd NCAA Free Agent in 2 Days

The Toronto Maple Leafs have dipped into the NCAA free agent pool once again, to sign their second top college prospect in two days.

🖊️ We’ve signed forward Brandon Buhr to a one-year contract beginning in the 2026-27 season. He will join the @TorontoMarlies for the remainder of the 2025-26 season on an amateur tryout

Details » https://t.co/fRi0nwieUD pic.twitter.com/THuCUQiBuY
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) March 18, 2026

This time it’s Brandon Buhr, a 6-foot-2, 208-pound forward with a heavy game from Fort St. John, BC.

Buhr, 23, has 36 points on 19 goals and 17 assists in 35 games with Union College this season. Overall, in 106 NCAA games with Union College, he has 49 goals and 39 assists for 88 points.

His one-year deal begins in the 2026-27 season, but he will get his feet wet in the pro game for the next few weeks by joining the Marlies of the AHL for the remainder of the season on an amateur tryout. He'll find a familiar face there, in former Union teammate, defenseman John Prokop.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have reportedly signed college UDFA Brandon Buhr, according to @slapschotts

The 23-year-old was a force for Union College with 19 goals and 36 points in 35 games played this season.

6'2 with solid skating & puckhandling combo + good shot #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/lemR9OTxQI
— Austin Kelly (@AustinReporting) March 18, 2026

Per hockey scout Austin Kelly, Buhr is a strong skater, a good puckhandler and has a solid shot. Kelly called Buhr "a force" for Union College this season. It was his second straight year there with 19 goals.

Lots to like about Brandon Buhr, the latest signee in the #LeafsForever system.

Dominated the ECAC with smart playmaking and heavy play. Strong across the board, even as Union faced a tough year. https://t.co/LClo4Gcd17 pic.twitter.com/RGRd7ne0V6
— Foley (@NHLFoley) March 18, 2026

Another scout writes that Buhr "dominated" the ECAC with "smart playmaking and heavy play."

The second nice signing by the Leafs, to go with creative, puck-moving defenseman Vincent Borgesi, signed yesterday to a two-year deal.