Toronto Hires Former Public Enemy Number One

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced on Tuesday that Daniel Alfredsson, John Gruden, and Brad Werenka are joining Jim Hiller’s coaching staff.

Alfredsson, once Public Enemy No. 1 in Toronto as captain of the Ottawa Senators, is leaving the nation’s capital to join the Maple Leafs as an associate coach. He spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach in Ottawa. Alfredsson had a Hall of Fame playing career spent mostly with the Senators.

He was a prominent figure in the “Battle of Ontario” between the Maple Leafs and Senators. A battle that included four playoff showdowns between 2000 and 2004. While Toronto won all four series, each was a physical battle. His skill and tenacity often getting under the Maple Leafs’ skin.

The 53-year-old Swede appeared in 1,246 regular-season NHL games with Ottawa and Detroit, registering 1,157 points (444 goals, 713 assists) and making six all-star appearances.

Toronto Promotes Gruden and Adds Werenka

John Gruden arrives after leading the Toronto Marlies to a Calder Cup championship. The 56-year-old has NHL assistant coaching experience with the Boston Bruins and New York Islanders.

He knows players like Easton Cowan, Jacob Quillan, and Ryan Tverberg really well. Cowan is expected to start the season with the Maple Leafs, but Quillan and Tverberg will be high on the list of call-ups if there are any injuries. Gruden can help Hiller use those players properly and to their strengths.

Brad Werenka most recently coached at the University of Calgary. The 57-year-old helped the Dinos win the Canada West championship in 2023.