In this instalment of the series, I’m going to dig a little digger into Marlies history than I have in recent editions.

Simon Gysbers spent his AHL career exclusively in Toronto and was a part of one of the best teams in franchise history. 

The Ontario native played three years in Canadian junior hockey with Stouffville Spirit before opting to take the NCAA route.

Having not been selected in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft despite being ranked 153rd overall on the Central Scouting List, Gysbers spent four seasons with Lake Superior State, racking up 68 points in 155 games.

It was in his final season that the Toronto Maple Leafs opted to sign the right-handed defenseman to a one-year Entry Level contract.

Upon finishing his college career, Gysbers signed an ATO with the Toronto Marlies for his first taste of professional hockey.

In fourteen games he registered just a single point, a secondary assist on a Juraj Mikus power-play goal against Rochester.

Gysbers rookie season in 2010-11 would prove the most successful year production-wise of the three he spent in Toronto.

A total of thirty-two points including seven goals in just sixty games was good for seventh in team scoring and best amongst defensemen on the Marlies.

The sophomore blueliner would be a part of the 2011-12 Marlies roster that almost went all the way.

Toronto finished the regular season with 44 wins winning the North Division, finishing second in the Conference and first in the league in goals-against (175).

Into the playoffs and the Rochester Americans were swept in the first round (3-0) before Toronto despatched Abbotsford heat and Oaklahoma City Barons 4-1 respectively.

Gysbers would score the game and series winner in game five of the series against OKC, the team that had won the Western Conference.

Unfortunately, a depleted Marlies team came up against the mightily impressive Norfolk Admirals in the final and were duly swept 4-0.

The last season in Toronto saw Gysbers play the fewest amount of games (54) and accrue the least amount of points (4-15-19).

The Canadian defenseman found himself in a position many AHL professionals do at a certain point in their career.

It was off to pastures new and the first stop was Finland.

Gysbers spent the best part of two seasons playing for Ilves and then TPS, getting into some Champions Hockey League action with the latter.

There was also a ten-game venture into the SHL with Djurgårdens IF for whom Gysbers put up six points including two goals.

Croatia was the next port of call and another new league.

Gysbers suited up in 42 KHL games for Medveščak Zagreb in what turned out to be that club’s penultimate season in the Russian-based league.

The 2016-17 campaign would be the last for Gysbers as he opted to retire on May 17, 2017, at the relatively tender age of 29.

The final curtain call came in Germany for the fantastically named Schwenninger Wild Wings.

Twenty points in 52 games brought an end to an interesting professional career that may have only last seven years but took many paths.

An offensively-minded defenseman who wasn’t known for using his not insubstantial frame to play a physical game, it was always notable when Gybsers laid a hit or two.

It was his ability in the opponent’s zone that the Thornhill native will be better remembered for.

Including this overtime game-winner against Hamilton

and this wicked wrist shot to tie the score at 2-2 versus Hamilton

As far as my research takes me, Simon Gysbers is living in Michigan, back in the same state where he attended university and is working for an automotive insurance company called Haggerty.

Simon Gysbers’ record with the Toronto Marlies.

Regular Season:

196 Games 16-65-81

Playoffs:

17 Games 1-1-2

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