The Toronto Maple Leafs made significant changes behind the bench on Tuesday, promoting Marlies head coach John Gruden and hiring newcomer Brad Werenka, while parting ways with assistant coaches Derek Lalonde and Mike Van Ryn. The moves come after the Leafs finished last in the Atlantic Division last season, leading to the firing of head coach Craig Berube.
John Gruden's Promotion and Background
Gruden, who led the Toronto Marlies to the Calder Cup championship last month, is expected to bring a winning pedigree similar to when Sheldon Keefe moved from the Marlies to the Leafs in 2019 after winning the Calder Cup in 2018. Gruden helped develop prospects such as Easton Cowan, Jacob Quillan, Luke Haymes, defensemen William Villenueve and Noah Chadwick, and goaltender Artur Akhtyamov.
Before joining the Marlies, Gruden served as an assistant coach with the Boston Bruins in 2022-23, where he oversaw the defense and power play that contributed to the Bruins' record regular-season mark of 65-12-0-5. He is the fifth Marlies head coach since the farm club returned from Newfoundland, following Paul Maurice, Dallas Eakins, Steve Spott, and Keefe.
Relationship with Head Coach Jim Hiller
Gruden has a history with new Leafs head coach Jim Hiller, having worked together under head coach Barry Trotz on Long Island. Speaking to the Toronto Sun after the Marlies' Calder Cup win and Hiller's hiring, Gruden expressed confidence in their partnership. "Whatever Jim has to adjust to, he'll do it. He's been around the game a long time, a smart, passionate guy. We had success together, two conference finals in New York, and it's still a great relationship," Gruden said.
Gruden also addressed perceptions of Hiller as a defensive coach, explaining his philosophy: "I always try to sell it this way: the harder you defend, the quicker you get the puck back so you can go play in the fun zone."
Brad Werenka Joins the Staff
Werenka, a former NHL defenseman who played 235 games and was a second-round draft pick of the Edmonton Oilers in 1994, is expected to step into the role previously held by Mike Van Ryn. His friendship with Hiller dates back to their time as NCAA teammates at Northern Michigan University, where each recorded 63 points in a season. After retiring from hockey, Werenka studied law at the University of Calgary, but Hiller tried to lure him as an assistant coach when given the Tri-Cities Americans job in the WHL. Werenka eventually entered coaching as an assistant with the Calgary Dinos.
Departures and Future Plans
The departure of Derek Lalonde, once seen as a potential replacement for Berube, surprised some. General manager John Chayka had hinted earlier that Van Ryn might stay with Toronto in a new role if Hiller did not retain him, but no such arrangement was mentioned in Tuesday's announcement. The Leafs' last-place finish in the Atlantic Division prompted the coaching overhaul.
