Maple Leafs add Walser to blue line

The Toronto Maple Leafs, parent club of the AHL’s Toronto Marlies, have signed defenseman Derrick Walser to a two-year contract.

Walser, the Canadian Major Junior Defenseman of the Year in 1998, recorded nine goals and 28 assists for 37 points in 55 AHL games between Albany and Syracuse in 2006-07, and also notched two goals in nine NHL games with Columbus.

The native of New Glasgow, N.S., has skated in 334 career AHL games, tallying 73 goals and 152 assists for 225 points. He won a Calder Cup championship with Saint John in 2001, and played in the AHL All-Star Classic in 2001-02, when he set career highs with 23 goals, 38 assists and 61 points.

Walser has compiled eight goals and 21 assists for 29 points in 91 career NHL games, all with Columbus.