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The Toronto Maple Leafs have turned to a familiar voice behind the bench, officially naming Jim Hiller as the franchise’s new head coach.
Hiller replaces Craig Berube, whom new general manager John Chayka dismissed in May as part of a sweeping organizational overhaul. The 57-year-old previously served as an assistant coach in Toronto from 2015 to 2019 under Mike Babcock and now returns with the task of guiding the club back into Stanley Cup contention.
Why Toronto Chose Hiller
According to Chayka, the Maple Leafs conducted an extensive search involving more than 25 candidates. Feedback from players and league personnel consistently highlighted Hiller’s ability to build trust and foster player development.
“What separated Jim was that the players who had been around him really valued who he is as a person,” Chayka said. “They felt like they could trust him and that he was committed to making them the best versions of themselves.”
The organization emphasized that Hiller’s vision aligned with the culture and standards Chayka hopes to establish. Toronto has prioritized organizational unity after CEO Keith Pelley cited a lack of cohesion as a major issue when the club made changes to its front office and coaching staff.
“We hired someone who could create an environment where people are challenged and where accountability and trust can coexist,” Chayka said.
Hiller Returns After Successful Stops Elsewhere
Hiller’s most recent NHL head coaching experience came with the Los Angeles Kings, where he compiled a 93-58-24 record across parts of three seasons. He initially joined Los Angeles as an assistant before taking over following Todd McLellan’s dismissal in 2024.
Before his stint with the Kings, Hiller spent three seasons as an assistant with the New York Islanders after leaving Toronto in 2019. He also coached Paris Basketball during the 2024-25 campaign and helped the French club capture the French Cup.
As a player, Hiller enjoyed a lengthy professional career and built a strong coaching reputation at the junior level, earning Canadian Hockey League Coach of the Year honors in 2011-12.
Confident the Core Can Bounce Back
Toronto missed the playoffs last season for the first time since Auston Matthews entered the league in 2016, finishing with 78 points and struggling to establish a consistent identity.
Despite the disappointing campaign, Hiller expressed confidence in the roster.
“There are some really good hockey players in that locker room,” Hiller said. “Auston and Willy are a couple stars in the league, but you can go up and down and see some tremendous players.”
Hiller added that rebuilding the team’s spirit and culture will be his top priority.
“The biggest impact a coach can have is guiding the spirit of the team,” he said. “When everybody’s doing it together in certain ways, the spirit naturally starts to grow.”
Busy Offseason Continues
Hiller’s hiring comes during a pivotal offseason for Toronto. The Maple Leafs recently acquired goaltender Samuel Ersson and defenseman Emil Andrae from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit.
Toronto also owns the No. 1 overall selection in next week’s NHL Draft, giving Chayka and senior adviser Mats Sundin another opportunity to reshape the franchise.
For Hiller, returning to one of hockey’s most demanding markets is a challenge he welcomes.
“It’s bigger in Toronto, there’s more volume of media, there’s no question,” Hiller said. “But I know it’s a big job and a big market, and it’s not something that I’m going to personally have to change much to deal with.”
After a disappointing 2025-26 season, the Maple Leafs are betting that a familiar face can help restore the winning culture that has eluded the franchise in recent years.
