Former Toronto Maple Leafs Coach Finds a New Job Outside of the NHL

A new beginning for a former coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Guy Boucher has himself a head coaching position in the KHL as he is now the head coach of the KHL's Avangard Omsk, with a contract that goes to the end of the 2025-26 season.

As a head coach in Omsk, Boucher will work with familiar players such as Ryan Spooner, Reid Boucher, and Nail Yakupov; all former NHLers, and gets to work with a former 1st overall pick in Yakupov.

Guy Boucher was hired as an assistant coach for the Leafs 2023-24 season, however, it was announced in June that Boucher would not return for this season after the hiring of Craig Berube as head coach.

Before becoming an NHL coach, Guy Boucher started coaching in the QMJHL, and was awarded the Paul Dumont Trophy in 2009 as the league's "Personality of the Year."

Boucher then moved on to the AHL, where he became the head coach of the Hamilton Bulldogs, winning Coach of the Year in his very first season.

After turning down a head coaching position with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Boucher took over behind the bench for the Tampa Bay Lightning. After getting fired in 2013, he moved on to SC Bern of the Swiss National League.

From 2016 to 2019, Boucher served as head coach of the Ottawa Senators, and after being let go, he did not work in the NHL again before signing with the Maple Leafs last season.

Boucher as of now, holds an NHL coaching record of 191-186-46 for a .506 win % in six seasons with Ottawa and Tampa Bay but had a measure of success in the postseason with a 22-15 record.

This is a good move by Avangard Omsk. The team has struggled to get anything going this season, currently sitting three games under .500 and Boucher just might be exactly what they need to get back on track.