Kyle Clifford on 'Giving Back' in His New Role with Leafs

Owning one of the longest title droughts in North America and the longest in the NHL, the Maple Leafs are often subject to ridicule when the schedule turns to the postseason. However, Clifford isn’t the least bit fazed. After all, he was integral in helping the LA Kings, a team that went 45 years without a Stanley Cup, to two in three years. Overall, though, for someone whose played pro hockey for the last 16 years, the former Leaf just wants to work in the game that gave him so much.

“I knew I wanted to remain in the game,” Clifford said. “I’ve got a true passion for the game. Obviously, to retire after such a long career was hard. But knowing that I’m still at the rink every day and be part of the group and help them better themselves, hopefully I can learn from the young kids, the coaches, and the other development staff.”

Specifically, it was Clifford’s former teammate in both Los Angeles and Toronto that helped influence his post-playing route.

“I know Jake Muzzin was doing player development [with Toronto] for the past year. So, I had the ability to bounce ideas off him and get his thoughts,” added the native of Aye, Ont. “He was scouting before that. Ultimately, it was just a great fit for me and what I’ve been able to do over the last couple of years in the [AHL’s Toronto] Marlies organization with a lot of the players. I truly enjoy being part of the organization and helping them.”

While they have been one of the NHL’s top teams over the past few seasons, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ underachieving playoff record has made them a notorious oddity. That is especially the case in an Atlantic Division that boasts two recent consecutive championship winners in the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers. Nevertheless, the Leafs’ current product remains strong. But with Kyle Clifford’s addition to the development staff, the club’s future boasts the same optimism. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder, however, would have been remiss. He would have been remiss had he not given praise to two of the men responsible for the Kings’ patient, yet successful, rebuilding process a decade-and-a-half earlier.

“I can’t say enough good things about Dean Lombardi,” he reflected. “In the hockey world, he’s probably one of the people I respect the most. He just gave it to you straight and knew how to push the right buttons. Mike Futa, another guy I don’t get the opportunity without a guy like him to find me [with the OHL’s Barrie Colt s]. Just another guy I can’t say enough good things about.”

It’s out with the old and in with the new for Kyle Clifford. He hopes to take what he’s learned as a player into his new career. However, if his playing career is any indication, Clifford will be just fine. It will be something that the Toronto Maple Leafs and their ever-loyal fan base will ultimately be forever grateful for.

You can bet on it.