Former Maroon Watling Signs With AHL’s Marlies

Patrick Watling, who spent two seasons with the Chatham Maroons, has signed his first professional contract, inking with the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies.

Watling, who played 102 games for the Maroons between 2009 and 2011, and was a GOJHL Western Conference First Team All-Star in 2011, signed with the Marlies, who are the top affiliate of the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs.

Watling, who won the Roger Neilson Memorial Award as the OHL’s top overage scholastic hockey player last season, played for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds under new Maple Leafs assistant general manager Kyle Dubas.

In his final OHL season, Watling has 18 goals and 36 assists for 52 points in 65 games. Prior to playing with the Soo Greyhounds, Watling, who is from Sault Ste. Marie, spent two seasons with the Guelph Storm of the OHL.

Earlier this summer, Blenheim’s Kyle Hope also signed an American Hockey League contract with the Springfield Falcons.