Dakota Mermis is indeed 30, and he is a left-shooting defender. He is listed at 6' and 194lbs on Elite Prospects.

As you can see he most recently played in Minnesota and Iowa with the Wild. In fact he captained the AHL team last year.

When we have some ide of his contract we will update you, but this looks like a good pro for the Marlies. His last deal was league minimum but a two-way. Although Mermis is American, he did play for the London Knights.

Welcome to the team, Dakota.

Maple Leafs Sign Three Players | Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that the hockey club has signed defencemen Dakota Mermis and Philippe Myers as well as forward Cédric Paré. Mermis, 30, recorded eight points (three goals, five assists) in 47 games with the Minnesota Wild during the 2023-24 season. Mermis also served as captain of
Mermis, 30, recorded eight points (three goals, five assists) in 47 games with the Minnesota Wild during the 2023-24 season. Mermis also served as captain of the Iowa Wild last season where he recorded two assists in five games. The 6’0, 195-pound defenceman has posted 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in 74 career regular season NHL games split between Arizona, New Jersey and Minnesota. Mermis signed a one-year contract worth $775,000.
The Alton, Illinois native originally signed with the Coyotes as a free agent on July 2, 2015.
Philippe Myers, 27, skated in five games with the Tampa Bay Lightning last season and 61 games with the Syracuse Crunch (AHL), recording 23 points (four goals, 19 assists) and 67 penalty minutes. In 158 regular season NHL games, the 6’6, 220-pound defenceman has registered 36 points (8 goals, 28 assists). During the 2021-22 season, Myers appeared in 16 games with the Toronto Marlies (AHL) after being loaned by the Nashville Predators. Myers signed a one-year contract worth $775,000.
The Moncton, NB native originally signed with the Philadelphia Flyers as a free agent on September 22, 2015.
Cédric Paré, 25, posted 35 points (14 goals, 21 assists) in 61 games with the Colorado Eagles (AHL) during the 2023-24 season while also skating in two playoff games. The 6’3, 205-pound forward has recorded 69 points (27 goals, 42 assists) in 148 career regular season AHL games while collecting six points (four goals, two assists) in nine career Calder Cup playoff games. Paré signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000.
The Lévis, QC native was originally selected by the Boston Bruins in the sixth round (173rd overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft.