After clearing NHL waivers earlier on Thursday, the Vancouver Canucks have found a new home for centreman Aatu Räty.

An hour before puck drop against the Florida Panthers, Canucks general manager Ryan Johnson announced that they’ve traded centreman Aatu Räty to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for forwards Jacob Quillan and Brandon Buhr.

Here is Johnson’s statement in the Canucks’ press release announcing the trade:

“We want to thank Aatu for all he has done for the organization, and we wish him well in Toronto,” said Johnson. “By acquiring Jacob and Brandon this move gives our group two new young players to work with as we continue to look for ways to improve our overall depth.”

Quillan is a 24-year-old centre/winger from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. After back-to-back seasons with Quinnipiac University, where he posted 32 goals and 73 points in 107 NCAA games, Quillan was the hottest undrafted college free agent on the market. He signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Maple Leafs after the 2023-24 season.

In his first professional season, Quillan scored 18 goals and 37 points in 67 games with the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League and earned one game of NHL action. Last season, Quillan increased his per-game production, scoring 14 goals and 36 points in 40 AHL games, and adding one goal and three points in 23 games with the Maple Leafs. He added three goals and nine points in 19 postseason games with the Marlies last season en route to their Calder Cup Championship.

Quillan signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Maple Leafs this season. It has been a slow start for the 6′, 205-lb forward, as he is pointless through his first four games of the season.

Buhr is a 24-year-old forward from North Vancouver, British Columbia. After popping for 19 goals and 36 points in 35 NCAA games with Union College last season, Buhr signed a one-year deal with the Maple Leafs. He appeared in five games for the Marlies last year and registered two assists. He hasn’t played this season.

Räty will now join a Maple Leafs team that has plenty of former Canucks on its roster: Teddy Blueger, Dakota Joshua, Zack MacEwen, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Troy Stecher, and Chris Tanev. Ahead of Thursday night’s contest against the Buffalo Sabres, the Maple Leafs are icing 11 forwards and seven defencemen, with Max Domi and Joshua currently injured. This will likely give Räty a consistent opportunity to earn ice time in a new situation.