Former Maple Leafs Defenseman Mark Giordano Joins Team's Front Office in New Role

The Toronto Maple Leafs are offering a potential chance for former NHLer Mark Giordano to transition to life after hockey from a player to a coach, kickstarting a second act for him in the sport.

Giordano is currently assisting at Toronto Maple Leafs development camp, helping out the team's prospects in maturing their game.

Going from an undrafted player to one of the league's longstanding active defenders, Giordano has experience to give in his understanding on what it takes to take the slow burn to the league and overcome the odds, valuable for the players lower on the totem pole in the prospect pool.

A new role could soon be in the role as Mark Giordano could become a coach, revealed by assistant general manager Hayley Wickenheiser that Giordano's development role could expand to a full-time spot with the Leafs.

The Toronto Maple Leafs is looking at Mark Giordano for a future NHL development role, which could begin Giordano as an important part of fostering the team's next generation.

Joining Giordano in working with the Leafs prospect is fellow former Leafs defenseman Jake Muzzin, the two being a mentor on Toronto first rounder Ben Danford, who has cited their mentorship as a help to his development.

The Toronto Maple Leafs lack high-end defensive prospects, with Danford leading the way for Toronto, his experience is going to be useful in understanding how the rest of the defensive group can improve their game and take the next steps to surprise in becoming NHL caliber players as he did, instilling the work ethic and improved skill he crafted to get to where he is.

Giordano has in the past expressed interest in continuing with hockey after his playing career in some sort of capacity, this move giving him the chance to prove himself as someone who could have a role worth needing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.