Leafs officially hire new goalie coach, announce several changes to their front office
Leafs GM Kyle Dubas announced a substantial hire and a bevy of internal significant promotions on Tuesday morning, involving Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser, Ryan Hardy and Darryl Metcalf.
First, Wickenheiser, Hardy and Metcalf were all promoted to Assistant General Manager and their roles break down as follows; Wickenheiser will act as AGM specializing in Player Development after holding the previous titles of Assistant Director of Player Development and Senior Director of Player Development from 2018-2021.
Next, Hardy was promoted to AGM of Minor League Operations. Much like what Kyle Dubas had done when he was hired as AGM in Toronto, Hardy will continue to run the AHL's Toronto Marlies. His previous title was Senior Director of Minor League Operations last season. He had served as GM of the Chicago Steel in the previous 3 seasons (USHL).
Finally, Metcalf was appointed to the position of AGM of Hockey Research and Development. Metcalf is the longest tenured Leafs executive of the bunch, having spent the last 8 years with the Leafs.
There is no change to AGM Brandon Pridham's role with the club. He'll remain the Leafs' primary AGM and Kyle Dubas' right hand man. Laurence Gilman, however, will ascend to the role of Governor and Senior VP of the Toronto Marlies.
Lastly, the Leafs have formally announced the hiring of Curtis Sanford as the team's Goaltending Coach, taking over for the departed Steve Briere, who joined the front office with the Seattle Kraken earlier today.
Sanford played 144 games in his NHL career, split between Vancouver, St. Louis and Columbus. Sanford has been the Canucks' AHL affiliate's goalie coach over the past 5 seasons. Yes, he has done some work with Thatched Demko and has been working extensively with 2017 3rd round pick Michael DiPietro.
