The Maple Leafs placed Andy O'Brien at the head of a revamped Sports Performance department while adding four specialists to his team.
Steve Simmons initially reported that the Maple Leafs were hiring Andy O'Brien as their Strength and Conditioning coach, he actually received a much bigger role. The Maple Leafs announced O'Brien as the VP of Sports Performance and will head the new Sports Performance department.
O'Brien will oversee 'all areas of the Maple Leafs organization pertaining to performance optimization including Strength and Conditioning, Sport Science, Sports Nutrition, Injury Rehabilitation and Mental Performance' per the Maple Leafs website, but he's not going to be doing it alone.
Toronto gave O'Brien a lot more than just the weight room
O'Brien's resume is an extensive one that spans over 25 years, and he's worked closely with Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, and John Tavares among others and GM John Chayka was thrilled to bring him aboard:
We are thrilled to welcome Andy and his sports performance team to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Providing every resource possible to help our players perform at their best is the highest priority at every level of the organization.
Joining O'Brien's staff is a group that has extensive medical experience in the sports world, and he will look to two members of his new group to head the Strength and Conditioning Department.
Jason Martin takes over as Head Strength and Conditioning Coach and comes to Toronto having spent the past three years as Player Development Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins and holds a B.Ed. in Physical and Health Education from McGill University.
Assisting Martin is going to be Josh Crouse, who spent the 2025-26 season with the Halifax Mooseheads as Director of Performance. Prior to that he spent seven years with St. Francis Xavier as Head of Sports Performance and holds an M.Ed. from St. Francis Xavier in Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching, as well as a B. Kin. from Acadia University in Kinesiology and Exercise Science.
Having O'Brien oversee all facets and not just strength and conditioning allows him to use his extensive knowledge to help collaborate with others he trusts to build a plan that works for not only the Maple Leafs but the Marlies as well.
Maple Leafs are bringing training, rehab, and mental performance under one structure
Toronto also added Dr. Craig Slaunwhite who becomes the Maple Leafs' Director, Health and Performance Integration.
He previously spent time with the Shanghai Dragons (KHL), Acadia University, and the Jordan Basketball Federation as Director of High Performance - and also worked with the likes of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Winnipeg Jets, Florida Panthers, SKA St. Petersburg (KHL) and the Sacramento Kings (NBA).
Slaunwhite comes with a Doctor, Chiropractic from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College and a B.Sc. from Dalhousie University in Kinesiology and Exercise Science.
Dr. Jordan Shallow will add another sports-centric voice who has worked with several different clubs across the NFL, NHL and MLB while also served as Medical Director at House of Athlete located in Weston, Florida.
All of these additions come with a clear goal that Toronto wants to surround their training staff with not only medically sound professionals but people who have extensive experience in the sports world and O'Brien's able to gather their intel and formulate the best system for the organization.
It's less about pinpointing an issue that Toronto needs to focus on whether it be nutrition, conditioning, or workout routines but more about building a program that can maximize their athletic potential and increase player support - though it won't negate injuries completely.
John Chayka's invested heavily into the future of the Maple Leafs and it extends beyond signings and draft picks, but crafting an environment where his team is at peak form and ready for the grind that comes next.
Will the Maple Leafs have less injuries in 2026-27 thanks to their new hirings?
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