Eric Knodel was an NHL draft pick selected directly from the Philadelphia Jr. Flyers 18U Midget Major team in 2009. See original Press Release

David Nonis, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Tuesday the hockey club has signed defenceman Eric Knodel to a one-year entry level contract that will commence at the start of the 2014-15 season. Knodel has also signed a professional tryout agreement for the remainder of the 2013-14 season with the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League.

Knodel, 23, registered 28 points (7 goals, 21 assists) with 28 penalty minutes and a +16 rating in 41 games in the NCAA (Hockey East) as captain of the New Hampshire Wildcats this season. Over his three-year career at the University of New Hampshire (2011-12 to 2013-14), the 6-6, 225-pound defenceman posted 20 goals and 41 assists for 61 points with 60 penalty minutes in 116 games.

A native of West Chester, Pennsylvania, Knodel was selected by Toronto in the fifth round, 128th overall, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft from the Philadelphia Jr. Flyers Midget Major Team.