{"id":1878,"date":"2023-07-24T17:12:24","date_gmt":"2023-07-24T17:12:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oldprof.nhltradetalk.com\/?p=1878"},"modified":"2023-07-24T17:12:25","modified_gmt":"2023-07-24T17:12:25","slug":"whatever-happened-maple-leafs-goalie-garrett-sparks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oldprof.nhltradetalk.com\/index.php\/2023\/07\/24\/whatever-happened-maple-leafs-goalie-garrett-sparks\/","title":{"rendered":"Whatever Happened to ex-Maple Leafs Goalie Garrett Sparks"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Garret Sparks was once considered to be one of the most talented goalies in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ organization. However, it just didn’t turn out that way. As a result, he’s travelled an interesting journey through the world of hockey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related: Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Samsonov, Tavares & Karlsson<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sparks Was Drafted by the Maple Leafs in 2011<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sparks was drafted by the Maple Leafs in the seventh round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. He first played in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Guelph Storm during the 2010-2011 season. Following his time with the Storm, Sparks moved to the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Toronto Marlies during the 2012-2013 season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, to get more seasoning, Sparks suited up in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) with the Orlando Solar Bears, where he gained valuable experience and further refined his skills. He continued to split time between the AHL and ECHL during the following seasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Turning Point for Sparks was the 2017-18 Season<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The turning point for Sparks came in the 2015-2016 season when he made his NHL debut with the Maple Leafs. He played 17 games, actually showing flashes of brilliance and displaying the potential to become a starting goaltender.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Garret Sparks was one of the key Maple Leafs’ prospects<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

In the 2017-2018 season, Sparks played a key role by leading the Marlies to a Calder Cup championship. This notable success helped solidify his value to the organization. However, he could never quite make it. During the 2018-19 season, with a strong Maple Leafs’ team, Sparks put up a losing record of 8-9-1, with a goals-against-average of 3.15 and a save percentage of .902. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, on July 23, 2019, the Maple Leafs traded him to the Vegas Golden Knights for David Clarkson and a fourth-round pick in the 2020 draft (which turned out to be William Villeneuve).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related: Look Out Rick Vaive, Auston Matthews Is After You Again<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sparks Kicked Around for a Few Seasons<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sparks continued to face challenges in his career. For the next few seasons, he moved around between different teams and leagues, including the Chicago Wolves, the ECHL Orlando (California) Solar Bears, and the AHL’s Springfield Thunderbirds during the 2022-2023 season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite all these career twists and turns, Sparks remains determined to succeed<\/a>. Recently, he signed with the Wilkes-Barre\/Scranton Penguins. That’s the AHL farm team for the Pittsburgh Penguins. What’s interesting is that the Penguins are now under the leadership of former Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dubas Loves Reclamation Projects and Former Team Members<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dubas is now the president of hockey operations for the Penguins. Over the seasons, he’s developed an affinity for signing former players he knows from his relationship with them. He also loves to give players second chances to reclaim their careers. Sparks’ move is just one example of Dubas’ interest in reuniting with players from the past. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Penguins have signed goaltender Garret Sparks for the upcoming 2023-24 season: https:\/\/t.co\/icozUODm5i<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/JkelHicwhT<\/a><\/p>— WBS Penguins (@WBSPenguins) July 18, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote>