‘I’m My Own Mentor’: Dennis Hildeby Misses Chance To Bring Guest On Maple Leafs' Mentors Trip Due To Timing Of Call-Up

Dennis Hildeby played a key role in the Toronto Maple Leafs' 3-2 overtime victory against the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday night, stopping 30 of 32 shots and earning a notable .938 save percentage. The win marked the 23-year-old’s third career NHL victory in his fourth game of the 2024-25 season, improving his record to 3-1-0.

Hildeby’s performance was crucial as the Maple Leafs completed the first half of a home-and-home series with the Flyers while earning a gutsy win.

The team’s road trip to Philadelphia on Tuesday officially launches the travel portion of their annual mentors trip, a tradition that began in February of the 2019-20 season. Players invite mentors, such as parents, siblings, or influential figures in their lives, to join them for a few days on the road.

Related: 'It's Great To Have Him With Us': Joe Thornton Attends Maple Leafs' Game As Auston Matthews' Guest For Club's Upcoming Mentors Trip

Unfortunately for Hildeby, his late call-up on December 30 left him without enough time to arrange for a guest. After the game on Sunday, Hildeby joked when asked about missing the chance to bring someone along.

“I’m my own mentor,” he said, as Sportsnet’s Luke Fox confirmed.

The trip, as revealed by the Maple Leafs’ YouTube channel, kicked off on Sunday, with several mentors already in attendance. Notable guests included Joe Thornton, Auston Matthews’ invitee; Matthew Knies’ brother; and Morgan Rielly’s older brother, who watched Rielly score the game-winning goal in overtime.

Despite missing the chance to bring a mentor along, the decision to recall Hildeby from the AHL’s Toronto Marlies on Sunday proved to be a wise one. The Leafs, navigating yet another back-to-back, received a strong performance from their former fourth-round pick (122nd overall), showcasing the upside of their timely call-up.

While his season stats include a .892 save percentage and a 3.23 goals-against average at the NHL level, his performance on Sunday shows why the Maple Leafs have opted to turn to him in the number two goaltending role with a busy schedule ahead.

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