The Toronto Maple Leafs gave their prospects a coaching staff with over 2000 NHL games - ensuring they have direct access to minds who know the demands of the league
While there's a primary focus on the Maple Leafs, their AHL affiliate the Marlies also went through an overhaul. After head coach John Gruden was promoted to the NHL club under Jim Hiller, the team was without a leader behind the bench.
It didn't take too long to remedy that though, as the team hired former Maple Leafs and Marlies assistant coach Steve Sullivan as head coach, bringing him back to the team he was a part of last year before being promoted in late December. Sullivan has familiarity with the current group, and his coaching staff also includes Mark Giordano (who returns), former head coach Greg Moore, and Denver Manderson.
Sullivan and Giordano bring over 2,100 games of experience
That new staff is going to be tasked with leading the Marlies this year as they defend their Calder Cup, and that Maple Leafs did their best to ensure their prospects are being led by experienced and veteran voices.
Sullivan played 1,011 games in the NHL over 16 seasons with Toronto, Nashville, Chicago, New Jersey, Pittsburgh, and Phoenix meanwhile Giordano played in 1,148 games over 18 seasons with Calgary, Seattle, and Toronto. Between the two that's 2,159 games of NHL experience (regular season) and adding onto that experience is Moore, who coached the Marlies from 2019-2023 and recorded a 107-91-8-6 record over 212 games.
Sullivan can help the younger forwards learn how to better position themselves and acclimate at the professional level, and considering he was a bit undersized, he can help give advice on how to stick around longer despite concerns about size.
Giordano was one of the greatest defensive defenders of his generation and is the all-time leading shot blocker. He'll be instrumental in helping develop players like Ben Danford and Noah Chadwick - two of Toronto's top defensive prospects.
Chris Bourque adds a Calder Cup blueprint to the Marlies front office staff
Rounding out the staff is going to be Bourque, who is no stranger to the AHL. Winning three Calder Cups with the Hershey Bears, he's got 794 games played at the AHL level and will be AGM of the Marlies with a focus on college recruitment.
He's also no stranger to hockey royalty, as his father is Ray Bourque - one of the greatest defenders of all time. Having the knowledge passed down from his dad as well as his vast experience at the AHL and international level (playing in Germany) will be crucial in finding who best fits in the lineup going forward.
His prior experience as a collegiate scout will also be a benefit to the Maple Leafs after they revamped their scouting department which now has a larger emphasis on NCAA and US prospects.
Toronto surrounded their prospects with a variety of experience be it at the NHL level with Sullivan and Giordano, with previous success in Moore's previous coaching record, Manderson's development background and Bourque's AHL resume - they are giving them every avenue to learn with the goal remaining to be competitive while also building the future of the Maple Leafs.
Do you think Steve Sullivan is the right call to lead the Marlies?
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