Leafs hire Hardy to direct minor leagues

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The Toronto Maple Leafs have added to their management team with the hiring of Ryan Hardy to be their Senior Director of Minor League Operations.

Hardy was General Manager of the United States Hockey League’s Chicago Steel since 2018 and won General Manager of the Year two of his three seasons. The 35-year-old will take over as GM of the AHL Toronto Marlies and the ECHL Newfoundland Growlers and will oversee hockey operations, roster decisions and staffing for the two clubs.

“Over the last several seasons, I have developed a strong relationship with Ryan as his Chicago Steel team had great success on the ice, as well as success in developing players and staff,… Leafs GM Kyle Dubas said in a press release. “As we evaluate how best to maximize the potential of all our prospects, we felt that adding Ryan to our management team and tasking him with managing the Marlies and the hockey side of our relationship with the Newfoundland Growlers would be a great benefit to the organization.…

The Leafs have reaped the rewards of the relationship between Dubas and Hardy over the last two drafts, with Steel alum Nick Abruzzese moving on to Harvard and becoming one of the organization’s top prospects and with 2020 draftee Joe Miller serving his apprenticeship in the Windy City before heading to the University of Minnesota.

Laurence Gilman, who had served as Marlies GM since the 2018-19 season, will be elevated to the role of Senior Vice-President of the Marlies while maintaining his roles as Assistant General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Governor of the AHL club.

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— Norman James (@IamNormanJames) April 26, 2021

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