Hiller hiring as coach latest bold move by Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs appointed Jim Hiller as their new head coach on Wednesday. General manager John Chayka chose Hiller to lead the team as part of a series of organizational changes. The hire follows Hiller's previous tenure as an assistant with the team.
What changed
New details confirm Hiller is the 41st head coach in franchise history and the hire is part of a broader organizational shift.
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Jim Hiller Named 41st Head Coach in Maple Leafs History
confidence 100%The Toronto Maple Leafs appointed Jim Hiller as their new head coach on Wednesday. General manager John Chayka chose Hiller to lead the team as part of a series of organizational changes. The hire follows Hiller's previous tenure as an assistant with the team.
What's confirmed:
- Jim Hiller was named the 41st head coach in franchise history on Wednesday.
- General manager John Chayka hired Jim Hiller to lead the team.
- Hiller has previous experience with the Maple Leafs organization.
Still unconfirmed:
- The hire of Jim Hiller and the addition of defenseman Darren Raddysh signal a new era for the organization.
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Maple Leafs Name Jim Hiller 41st Head Coach
confidence 90%The Toronto Maple Leafs hired 57-year-old Jim Hiller to replace Craig Berube. General manager John Chayka led an extensive search before selecting the former Kings head coach. Hiller previously served as a Toronto assistant from 2015 to 2019.
What's confirmed:
- Jim Hiller is the 41st head coach in Maple Leafs history.
- Hiller served as a Toronto assistant from 2015-19.
- Hiller is 57 years old.
- Jim Hiller replaces Craig Berube as head coach.
Still unconfirmed:
- General manager John Chayka interviewed more than 20 candidates, including Jay Woodcroft, Patrick Roy, Dallas Eakins, and Joe Pavelski.
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Jim Hiller Named 41st Head Coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
confidence 90%The Toronto Maple Leafs hired Jim Hiller on Wednesday to replace Craig Berube. Hiller is a 57-year-old former Los Angeles Kings head coach and former Maple Leafs assistant. He returns to the organization after previously serving as an assistant from 2015-19.
What's confirmed:
- Jim Hiller is the 41st head coach in franchise history.
- Hiller previously served as the head coach of the Los Angeles Kings.
- Hiller was a Maple Leafs assistant coach from 2015-19.
- The hire was announced on Wednesday.
Still unconfirmed:
- Patrick Roy and Peter Laviolette were candidates during the search.
- Joe Pavelski was a finalist for the position.
- Hiller was fired by the Los Angeles Kings midway through the 2025-26 season.
- Hiller has 2.5 years of NHL head coaching experience and made the playoffs twice.
- The search concluded on June 17.
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Maple Leafs Hire Jim Hiller as Head Coach
confidence 95%The Toronto Maple Leafs named Jim Hiller as their 41st head coach on Wednesday. Hiller replaces Berube following a postseason shortfall. General Manager John Chayka made the hire to spark the team at both ends of the ice.
What's confirmed:
- Jim Hiller is the new head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
- Hiller replaces Berube as the team's bench boss.
- General Manager John Chayka hired Hiller.
- Hiller previously served as a coach for the Kings with a 93-58-24 record over parts of three seasons.
- Jim Hiller is a former Toronto assistant.
Still unconfirmed:
- The hire is viewed by some as a safe choice rather than a bold move.
- Hiller is not intimidated by the Toronto hockey media mob.
- The hiring was intended specifically for the players to ensure the game is fun.