The Toronto Maple Leafs announced that the club was adding Ottawa Senators legend Daniel Alfredsson to new head coach Jim Hiller’s staff as an associate coach. The team also announced that they would be rounding out the coaching staff with John Gruden and Brad Werenka as assistants.
“I’m incredibly excited to add Daniel, John and Brad to our coaching staff,” said Maple Leafs Head Coach Jim Hiller. “Daniel’s experience, leadership and understanding of the game speak for themselves. John has established himself as one of the top coaches in the American Hockey League and played an instrumental role in leading the Marlies to a Calder Cup championship last season. Brad brings a unique combination of NHL experience, player development and expertise in performance analytics. Together, they’ll be outstanding additions to our team.”
In a corresponding statement, Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer took to social media to announce “One of the first moves we made after taking over the franchise was bringing Daniel Alfredsson back into the fold as an assistant coach in December of 2023. I quickly learned that Alfie embodied all the characteristics of what it meant to be an Ottawa Senator.”
“While I wish he wasn’t joining an arch rival, Alfie is forever an Ottawa Senator and the door will always be open for his return. He has done so much for our organization and community and he has my full respect.”
The 53 year old spent the past 3 seasons as an assistant coach with the Senators, after working his way up from a player development role with the club. Internationally, he’s served as assistant coach with the Swedish Men’s National Team. It’s those Swedish roots that likely helped ease the transition up the 401 for the Gothenburg native as he’ll be joining countryman Mats Sundin who serves as a senior executive advisor of hockey operations to GM John Chayka.
Toronto confirmed in a separate statement that assistant coaches Mike Van Ryn and Derek Lalonde would not be returning to the Maple Leafs this upcoming season.
Photo: Angela MacIsaac. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.