ALBANY, N.Y.

After draft picks between 2009-14 appeared for the Maple Leafs this season, the farm team Marlies are dipping into the 2015 pool.

Travis Dermott, a defenceman picked 34th overall and the Leafs’ second choice after OHL MOP Mitch Marner, was tagged to replace the injured Stu Percy for Game 4 of the North Division final here Tuesday night. Coach Sheldon Keefe listed Percy as day-to-day after a cross check to the neck in overtime of a Game 3 loss on Sunday.

“He’s a talented young guy with a bright future ahaed of him,” Keefe said of the 5-foot-11 Dermott. “He’ll get his first taste of pro hockey tonight in a playoff environment, a strong taste of what this level is like.”

Dermott had 43 points in 51 games for Erie and 14 more in playoffs as the Otters made the OHL semi-finals. Dermott has been training with the Marlies the past few days.

“Being back in the organization, into the rhythm, is cool,” said Dermott who was at training camp. “Seeing how the guys prepare is something I’m going to have to get used to, on the road especially, when they’re not as comfortable as at home.

“If I happen to get in a game, that’s great.”

Dermott was a childhood friend of Connor McDavid and their junior careers were also spent together. They kept in touch after McDavid went first overall to Edmonton and Dermott stayed in Erie.

“We exchange the odd text and then he came down to watch during our playoffs,” Dermott said. “It was cool to see where we’ve both been in the past year.

“Our team was the third youngest team in the league this year, so it was pretty successful. Personally, I grew as a hockey player.”

Keefe appeared ready to make a change up front for Game 4 with centre Frederik Gauthier. While the higher-seeded Marlies insist they’re not panicking down 2-1 in the series, they have been struggling to find offensive chances against the swift, hard-checking Devils.

Antoine Bibeau is expected to start his third straight game in net.

LHornby@postmedia.com