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The Toronto Maple Leafs filled out their coaching staff on Thursday with the hiring of Guy Boucher and Mike Van Ryn as assistant coaches. "One of my goals every offseason is to put together the best staff possible to help give us the greatest opportunity for team success,… head coach Sheldon Keefe said in a press release. “With Spencer Carbery’s departure to become the head coach of the Washington Capitals, I'm thrilled to add experienced and accomplished coaches like Guy and Mike, as well as how the roles and responsibilities will now be shared amongst our coaching staff moving forward.… Boucher, 51, previously served as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning (2010-11 to 2012-13) and the Ottawa Senators (2016-17 to 2018-19), posting a combined record of 191-186-46. Under Boucher’s guidance, the Lightning reached the Eastern Conference Final in 2011 while the Senators made the Eastern Conference Final in 2017. Boucher spent three seasons in Switzerland (2013-14 to 2015-16) where he served as head coach of Bern SC (Swiss-A), but has not coached in the NHL since being fired by the Sens in 2019. He was in the running for the Leafs head coaching position before Mike Babcock was hired in 2015.
Have a great wkd everyone! Our LTL Insider, Mike Augello, joined us for our first #PatioSeason episode and he has some 🔥takes on the #Leafs
— LadiesTalkinLeafs (@LTL1917) July 14, 2023
Follow & Listen to the podcast to hear what else Mike had to say about the #NHLDraft & #FreeAgency #LTL1917
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Van Ryn, 44, joins the Maple Leafs staff after spending the previous five seasons (2018-19 to 2022-23) as an assistant coach with the St. Louis Blues. Van Ryn helped the Blues capture a Stanley Cup in 2019, but the Blues had hired former NHL defenseman Mike Weber in June.
The former Leaf spent two seasons with the Arizona Coyotes organization, including one year as head coach of the Tucson Roadrunners in 2017-18. Van Ryn led the Roadrunners to a 42-20-5 record and first place in the Pacific Division and spent three seasons with the Ontario Hockey League's Kitchener Rangers, including one season as head coach when he guided the Rangers to a 44-17-7 record in 2015-16.
Keefe indicated in a Zoom call on Thursday that Boucher will take over Carbery’s responsibilities working with the Leafs power play unit, while Van Ryn will assist Dean Chynoweth working with Toronto’s defense.