Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Alex Steeves has made his mark in team history as he fights for a spot on the NHL roster. The forward for the Toronto Marlies recently set a new franchise record for career points, surpassing 170 points in the AHL during a game against the Laval Rocket, marking his 200th career AHL game. Steeves had previously been tied for the record at 169 points, but his two goals in the game moved him past Kris Newbury, who had 168 points in 198 games for the Marlies.

Steeves, who leads the Marlies this season with 12 goals and 16 points in 12 games, has also played four games for the Leafs this year, though he has yet to register a point. His ice time in those games peaked at 14 minutes. Despite his strong AHL performance, Steeves’ transition to the NHL has been challenging, similar to former Leafs forward Adam Brooks, who also struggled to make the jump from the AHL to the NHL. Brooks now plays in Germany after 43 NHL games.

The difficulty of transitioning between leagues is a familiar challenge. In baseball, the term “AAAA” is used to describe players who excel at the Triple-A level but can’t quite make it in the MLB. The same can be true in hockey, where players with the skill set for top-six roles in the AHL might lack the physicality or skating required for bottom-six NHL positions, which limits their opportunities.

Steeves is not lacking in talent—he’s a hard worker with solid physicality, skating, and a strong work ethic. Despite being undrafted and overlooked in junior hockey, he’s managed to carve out a successful career. It took Bobby McMann until age 26 to break into the NHL and secure a full-time spot with the Leafs, proving that patience can pay off.

At 25, Steeves is one of the AHL’s top players, and while his NHL prospects remain uncertain, his continued success in the second-best league in the world speaks to his potential. If he stays patient and continues to develop, a full-time NHL role could still be in his future.