Toronto Marlies defenceman Justin Holl says his two-game callup by the Maple Leafs felt a bit magical.

“When you think back on it, it was just crazy,” said Holl. “Things couldn’t have turned out better.”

He was recalled on an emergency basis, scoring at the Air Canada Centre in his first game against the New York Islanders on Jan. 31, then again in his second game against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden. He became the first blue-liner in Leafs history to score in his first two games.

“It’s such a storied rink, but when you’re playing on it, it’s just like any other rink. You’re just playing hockey,” Holl said of MSG.

The call-up happened right when the Leafs’ fathers gathered for their annual road trip, so his father Jerry saw the game in Manhattan.

Holl has a goal and an assist in nine playoff games for the Toronto Marlies, who open their AHL Eastern Conference final on Saturday at 4 p.m. against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms at Ricoh Coliseum. Holl is one of a handful of Marlies who spent at least some time with the Leafs this season.

“He’s a very positive guy, great energy about him,” Marlies coach Sheldon Keefe said of Holl. “I don’t think he was ever short on confidence. That (NHL promotion) obviously helps, a feather in his cap. He worked hard for that opportunity. He hasn’t changed. He wants to have a great playoff and have a good finish and prove he’s an NHL player.”

Holl’s journey to the NHL was different than most — certainly longer, at 239 minor-league games with two franchises.

The native of Tonka Bay, Minn. — friends with Leafs defenceman Jake Gardiner growing up — was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the third round in 2010, but never quite caught on. After four years at the University of Minnesota, his career landed him in the ECHL before catching the eye of the Leafs’ scouting department. He’s played the last three seasons with the Marlies, and the right-handed shooter believes he has what it takes to be an NHL regular.

“My first year pro I was in the East Coast league, not exactly where you want to be,” said Holl. “I still felt like I had the ability and the skills to play in the NHL. Kept working at it, and still working at it.

“I know I can play there. It comes down to earning my way there and earning a permanent spot.”

And the Leafs’ recent history of looking internally for solutions — not just developing the likes of Travis Dermott and Andreas Johnsson, but promoting Marlies GM Kyle Dubas to the NHL job — suggests Holl may get an even longer look next season.

“It makes you feel like you can be part of the solution,” he said, “which is a good place to be, when you see all these people around you, developing from within and they’re getting their opportunity. It’s big for everyone on the team to see that’s happening and that it’s a possibility for everyone.”

Holl is 26. It’s rare but not impossible for a player to become an NHL regular for the first time at that age. Flames captain Mark Giordano, for example, didn’t get there until his mid-20s.

“Getting the chance he got this season is a kick in the pants to say it’s not over yet,” said Keefe. “That’s a reason to keep working, keep believing, all those things. He’s had a longer path than other players to get to his chance, but that door is not closed. He has recognized that.”

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The Leafs will have an opening on the blue line next season if — as expected — Roman Polak is not re-signed. As a right-handed shot, Holl might have a better chance than most. He’s proof that you’re never too old to learn.

“Any season where you feel you’re improving is a positive,” said Holl. “I continued to take steps this year. Obviously getting in a couple of games with the Leafs is a big bonus, and we’re having great team success here and we want to keep that going.”

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