The Toronto Marlies will send three representatives to the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic, set to take place in Palm Desert, California. Among the selections are team captain Logan Shaw and forward Alex Steeves, both of whom have previously participated in the event. Shaw has been selected twice before (in 2019 with the Manitoba Moose and in 2023 with the Marlies), while Steeves earned his second consecutive selection this season.
Alex Steeves has been a standout performer for the Marlies this season, leading the team with 30 points and 17 goals in 23 games. His stellar play has seen him break the Marlies’ points record, and he is just nine goals away from surpassing Ryan Hamilton’s franchise record of 94 goals. Among AHL players, Steeves ranks fifth in goals, 10th in points, and leads in points-per-game. The 25-year-old, who signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Maple Leafs in the offseason, is set to become a Group 6 unrestricted free agent after the season.
Logan Shaw, who recently represented Canada in the Spengler Cup, has also had a solid season with four goals and 14 assists for 18 points in 27 games. The veteran forward signed a two-year extension with the Marlies on December 20, ensuring he remains with the team through the 2026-27 season.
Additionally, Marlies head coach John Gruden was named the North Division’s head coach for the All-Star event after leading the team to the best record in the division. This marks Gruden’s first All-Star selection as a coach. He credited the entire Marlies staff, including assistant coaches, goalie coaches, and video staff, for their contributions to the team’s success.
The 2025 AHL All-Star Classic will feature a skills competition on February 2 at 9 p.m. ET, followed by the All-Star Challenge on February 3 at the same time. The event will also include a Hall of Fame induction and awards ceremony preceding the game.
—
Meanwhile, the debut of an innovative indoor golf league, created by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, took place at Palm Beach State College in Florida. The league, known as TGL, aims to reimagine golf through a fast-paced, tech-driven format. The inaugural match featured Rickie Fowler, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Xander Schauffele of New York Golf Club against Shane Lowry, Wyndham Clark, and Ludvig Aberg of The Bay Golf Club. Aberg made history by sinking the first birdie in TGL play, helping his team secure a 9-2 victory.
The competition, which is designed to last around two hours, combines shots into virtual screens, real grass, and high-tech data collection. Unique features include a short-game complex with a dynamic green that changes contours using advanced technology. Players wore microphones, music played throughout the venue, and fans actively participated, cheering and even booing at times.
The match concluded with a 729-yard par-5, which was made reachable by the format’s unique setup. Players and fans alike praised the experience, with Lowry and Aberg highlighting the fun and camaraderie. Woods, who plans to debut for his team on January 14, emphasized the league’s goal of making golf more accessible and engaging.
The TGL regular season will run until March 4, featuring six teams of four players. Matches will be broadcast on ESPN platforms, with the top four teams advancing to a best-of-three playoff series ahead of the Masters. Woods described the league as an innovative yet authentic approach to the sport, expressing optimism about its potential growth.