Maple Leafs Veteran Officially Retires from NHL, Begins Surprising New Chapter
Photo credit: Kim Klement-Imagn Images
Former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Kyle Clifford has announced his retirement, moving on to a new surprise role within the team.
Kyle Clifford, who spent 13 seasons in the National Hockey League, including three seasons in Toronto, announced his retirement from hockey yesterday at the age of 34.
End of an Era: Reflecting on a Gritty NHL Career
A strong-bodied winger who played an intense game throughout his career, Kyle Clifford was known for his physicality and high effort level, as well as a positive in the locker room.
Clifford had spent 13 seasons in the NHL, including his three seasons with Toronto. Clifford spent his first ten seasons with the Los Angeles Kings after being selected 35th overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, winning two Stanley Cup's before being traded to Toronto in 2020.
After a season in Toronto, Clifford would go on to play two seasons with the St. Louis Blues before being waived and after clearing was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs for his second stint.
Clifford had spent his last three years in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies, having last played in the NHL back in 2022, being a veteran presence for the Marlies later in his career.
It's this mentorship in the Leafs organization that showcased Clifford's ability to be a guider for young talent, something that'll be an apparent follow in his post-playing career as Clifford will be named to a player development to the Leafs, according to a report.
From Ice to Office: Clifford's Role with the Maple Leafs Going Forward
Kyle Clifford will use his high hockey character and ability to connect with the younger players in the Leafs organization as a way to foster their growth and help be a mentor in their playing career.
Having a longtime NHL veteran with playoff experience is something important for the Toronto Maple Leafs culture, having some with the history of winning that he does developing their next crop of talent will go a long way.
With lack of high-end prospects, Toronto will be looking for players who can grow their games and be potential end of lineup players like Clifford managed to become throughout his career.
Clifford has value to the Leafs development squad as a player who was known for playing hard and being aggressive, not backing down from being as competitive as he needed to be.
The future of the Toronto Maple Leafs will have a physical presence in Kyle Clifford as part of their guidance system in fostering the next generation of Leafs talent to play harder and stronger in the years to come.
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