On March 15, former Hamilton hockey goaltender Evan Buitenhuis ’18 signed an amateur tryout contract with the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League (AHL). One week later Buitenhuis, endearingly known as “Boots,” was placed on the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) Division III Men’s All-America Team for the second consecutive year. Last season Buitenhuis was not only an All-American but received the Sid Watson Award as the 2017 Division III Men’s Hockey Player of the Year. Though plagued by injuries, Buitenhuis still had a successful season, leading the conference with a .954 save percentage and 1.28 goals against average (GAA), both single season records.

The 2017–18 season capped a phenomenal career for the Canadian, who finished his Hamilton tenure as the all-time leader in goals against average, 1.67, and save percentage, .944.

Buitenhuis, looking to extended his hockey career, has signed with the Marlies, the top affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Top hockey players often sign amateur tryout contracts (ATO) to teams in the top three North American hockey leagues: the National Hockey League (NHL), the AHL, and the ECHL at the end of their college or juniors career. Buitenhuis wasted little time doing so after the conclusion of Hamilton’s season. Though Buitenhuis has not made an appearance yet for the Marlies, he has been seen sporting his crowd favorite Hamilton mask. Buitenhuis hopes to follow in the footsteps of Hamilton great, Guy Hebert, who played 18 seasons between the pipes in the NHL.