​Maple Leafs goalie Dennis Hildeby, who was still with Toronto just before Belgium faced Senegal in the World Cup Round of 32, reveals the trade call that forced him to miss part of the match. The Sports News outlet notes this development and marks The Sporting News as a preferred source. Hildeby has been enjoying the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and right before the Belgium-Senegal game, he was part of the Maple Leafs, a status that changed when he learned he was being traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in a deal that sent forward Nick Paul back to Toronto.
“I’d never experienced being traded before. As a player, you always know it’s possible, so it’s always somewhere in the back of your mind,” Hildeby told local media in Sweden, with translation provided by Daily Faceoff. “There had already been a lot of movement around the league, so I knew there was a chance I could be next.” The Maple Leafs had a goalie depth issue, and moving the young netminder helped clear that logjam. But that trade meant he would miss much of Belgium’s match.
“After that, there were so many calls that I only managed to watch the second half,” Hildeby said. The second half and extra time proved chaotic: Senegal initially led 2-0 and held that advantage for about 75 minutes. Belgium managed to score two late goals to force extra time, then won it with another goal in stoppage time of the second half of extra time. For Hildeby, the moment likely blurred into a whirlwind of emotions, and it felt similarly surreal for many watching the game.