Slaney facing off versus Bobby Housser in a round robin game against the USA at the 2008 World Junior Championships

The Maple Leafs have inked 20-year-old left-winger Robert Slaney of the QMJHL's Cape Breton Screaming Eagles to a three-year, entry-level contract, according to the Screaming Eagles' official website which was confirmed by Slaney early Easter day. "It's been in discussion for the past two weeks and we got her done," said Slaney, who led the Screaming Eagles in the 2008-09 regular season both in goals, with 36, and points, with 81. "I'm really excited. It's something I've wanted my whole life. So it's certainly a pleasure that it's all paid off."

Slaney marks the third undrafted prospect to be signed in the last two weeks by Brian Burke, who has appropriately taken an aggressive approach towards importing young talent through all available avenues.

Slaney's profile on his team's website has Brian Burke written all over it. He's described as a sharp young man that strikes a balance between hockey and school, and was consequently named the QMJHL's Scholastic Player of the Year for the '07/'08 season. Burke will be the first to tell you that he respects a player who values an education as often times that level of responsibility is also manifested in a player's on-ice game. On the ice, at 6?2, 203 pounds, Slaney's considered one of the better power forwards in the league.

Slaney accepting the Championship Cup from the International Street & Ball Hockey Federation after Canada's 4-1 victory over Slovak Republic

The 20-year-old son of Val and Edith said his family and friends in Newfoundland and Cape Breton were over the moon to hear the news of his NHL contract.
 

"They're pretty excited," said Slaney. "It's been my dream for a while and they've always been behind me. So they're really happy that it paid off."

Now that the contract is signed, his progression with the Leafs is straightforward.

"I'll attend the main camp in September sometime and if things don't work out there then I'll head to the AHL team (Toronto Marlies) and hopefully try to earn a spot there," said Slaney. "They're looking for some hard-working Canadians so it's going to be a good fit."

Slaney has always left his options open, as a successful Cape Breton University business student he was named the 2007-08 Canadian Hockey League academic player of the year. To encourage young Cape Bretoners in their schoolwork, he bought two season tickets at the beginning of the 2008-09 season to be used by a deserving student and an accompanying adult at each Screaming Eagles home game.

And Slaney was honoured twice at the Screaming Eagles' recent awards banquet, as the team's regular season scoring champ and with the fans' choice award.

"I'll definitely be pushing a lot harder," said Slaney, "I usually try to give my heart and soul but this will be an extra push to get me going."