Jett Alexander when asked about his next NHL appearance after playing EBUG for Maple Leafs - "When I'm done (with) my degree"

Jett Alexander, a 23-year-old goalie who was signed to an amateur tryout by the Toronto Maple Leafs, had a moment he will never forget. He played the final 1:10 in goal during their 7-1 win against the Montreal Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena.

Despite not facing a shot, Alexander was thrilled to have the opportunity to play in the NHL. He said:

"Whether you get a shot or not, it was 70 seconds on the ice and a game played in the NHL."

He also expressed his excitement about being able to wear the Leafs' jersey and be a part of the team, saying:

"Being a Leafs fan for a very long time, it's pretty special when you get to put that jersey on and just be out there and sitting on the bench just taking it all in was a dream come true, honestly."

Alexander's journey to the NHL was not an easy one, as he served as an emergency backup for the Colorado Avalanche against the Maple Leafs on December 1, 2021. However, he did not play that night.

Despite the challenges, Alexander is hoping to continue playing hockey professionally once he graduates.

"I still love the game a lot and would love to explore that opportunity, but I've got one more year and I'll see where I am when I'm done [with] my degree."

Reason behind the decision to put Jett Alexander in the game and Maple Leafs' performance

Jett Alexander in action in NHL

The decision to put Jett Alexander in the game came after starting goalie Ilya Samsonov appeared to be in discomfort. He stretched his left leg out to make a save during the third period and the team was concerned.

However, after consulting with the medical staff, it was decided that Samsonov would continue playing. However, Samsonov was happy to give Jett Alexander the opportunity to play and said:

"It was great to see this moment, yeah. I think for him, first NHL game, it doesn't matter just one minute, but it was big for him."

Despite the excitement of playing in the NHL, Alexander's focus remains on his studies. He has one more year at the University of Toronto studying English, and Earth and Environmental Science and is currently preparing for his exams. Alexander joked about studying while being in the thick of ice hockey action:

"Maybe, I'll start studying tomorrow."

The Toronto Maple Leafs have had a solid performance in the 2022-23 NHL season so far. They are currently sitting in second place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 47-21-11 after playing 79 games.

While the team has faced some challenges and setbacks throughout the season, they have managed to maintain a strong position in the standings.