The Toronto Maple Leafs became the first team to sign a top college free agent when they inked Union College defenseman John Prokop to a one-year entry-level deal that will begin next season. Prokop recently completed junior season at Union and was among FloHockey’s top college free agents for the 2024-25 season.

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He will join the Toronto Marlies on a tryout contract for the remainder of this season before his NHL deal kicks in next year.

Who Is John Prokop?

Prokop turns 24 in May. He is a 6-foot-3, 190-pound left-shot defenseman who logged massive minutes over each of the last two seasons for the Garnet Chargers. The Wisconsin native registered 62 points in 72 games over the last two seasons, making him one of the top scoring defensemen over that span in all of college hockey. Those numbers have him fourth among all collegiate blueliners.

Over parts of four seasons in the USHL, Prokop never lit it up points wise, posting just 40 in 170 games in USA’s top junior circuit, which saw him play for four different teams including the Omaha Lancers, Muskegon Lumberjacks, Green Bay Gamblers and Des Moines Buccaneers before reaching the college ranks.

Prokop appears to be more of a late bloomer, finding his offensive touch and confidence with the puck while at Union. He is a smooth skater who sees the ice well. He was able to be relied on in all situations for Union, playing strong enough defense to keep opposing forwards honest. The puck-moving elements of his game really blossomed in college, however, which is why he became a player worth signing and finding out what else can be mined out of his game.

If he is going to reach the NHL, it will likely be as a depth defenseman who can provide some scoring and quality defensive minutes. He has the size and strength to be competitive against pros as well.

We’ll get a good look at Prokop in the AHL for the rest of this season before he gets his first NHL training camp next fall.

With just one year on his ELC, there isn’t a ton of time for Prokop to earn a second contract. He’ll have to perform well at the AHL level and could make himself a recall option next season to give himself a chance. 

This year’s crop of free agent defensemen was not particularly strong, but Prokop was one with among the most visible NHL upside. It’s no guarantee, but getting the NHL contract and getting a chance to get his feet wet in the AHL this year is a good start.

At worst, Prokop is a low-risk addition who will bring some depth to the Toronto Marlies blue line at the AHL level. If everything works out, he should have a chance to play some NHL games down the road and then you get a chance to reassess his long-term outlook.

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