Maple Leafs’ MacWilliam making his NHL debut

Sure the Toronto Maple Leafs earned a point by taking the game to overtime against the New York Islanders, but given they led the game by two goals in the third period, the point is small consolation.

An otherwise meaningless game between two lottery-bound teams should mean the world to Andrew MacWilliam.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have recalled the Toronto Marlies defenceman from the AHL on an emergency basis and he will make his NHL debut during Wednesday’s tilt versus the Buffalo Sabres at Air Canada Centre.

“I think that’s a real positive thing,” head coach Peter Horachek told reporters Wednesday. “First game. His parents are coming to the game.”

The 24-year-old MacWilliam was drafted by the Maple Leafs in the seventh round (188th overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft but has yet to get his big-league shot.

In 112 games over the past three seasons with the Marlies, the Calgary native has three goals, 13 assists and 141 penalty minutes.

Prior to joining the Marlies, the left-shooting MacWilliam played four seasons with the University of North Dakota.

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