Toronto Maple Leafs GM John Chayka, during his media availability after the trade of Joseph Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit to Philadelphia for defenseman Emil Andrae, goaltender Samuel Ersson, and a 2026 third-round pick, said that he was getting closer to naming a head coach and that an announcement would be coming in the next “several days”. Less than 24 hours later, the Leafs announced the hiring of former LA Kings bench boss Jim Hiller.
“Jim is an experienced coach with a strong understanding of what it takes to win in today’s NHL,” Chayka said in a press release. “He has worked with successful teams throughout his career, connects well with players, and brings a clear approach behind the bench. We believe he’s the right person to lead our team and help us reach our goals.”
The 57-year-old BC native spent 11 seasons coaching junior hockey in Canada between the Western Hockey League and British Columbia Hockey League. During a five-year stint with the Tri-City Americans from 2009-10 to 2013-14, Hiller led the club to two division titles and five consecutive playoff appearances. He was named the Canadian Hockey League Coach of the Year and Western Hockey League Coach of the Year in 2011-12 after guiding Tri-City to a 50-18-2-2 record and a 104-point season.
Hiller served as an assistant to Mike Babcock in Detroit for one season before joining him with the Leafs in 2015. After Babcock was fired in 2019, Hiller served as an assistant coach with the New York Islanders for three seasons. He then joined Todd McLellan’s staff in Los Angeles and spent two seasons as an assistant coach, until February 2024, when he replaced him as interim head coach. He compiled a combined 93-58-24 record and a .600 win percentage in 175 games with Los Angeles before being let go on March 1, when he was replaced by former Leafs assistant DJ Smith.
“I’m incredibly excited for the opportunity to return to Toronto and lead the Maple Leafs,” Hiller said. “This is a special organization with great players, passionate fans, and high expectations. I’m looking forward to getting to work with our players and staff and doing everything we can to help this team reach its full potential.”
Daily Faceoff’s Jeff Marek indicated that Hiller’s relationship with Leafs team captain, Auston Matthews, and his analytic thinking (which was a prerequisite for Chayka) were big factors in the hire, but after a month-long coaching search in which names like Patrick Roy, David Carle, Joe Pavelski, Jay Woodcroft, and Bruce Cassidy were mentioned, the choice of Hiller feels a bit underwhelming.
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