Marlies Add To Coaching & Management Staff

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The Toronto Maple Leafs AHL affiliate is going through a number of changes, most notably Calder Cup-winning head coach John Gruden taking a job as an assistant coach under new Leafs bench boss Jim Hiller. On Wednesday, the Toronto Marlies announced additions to their hockey operations and coaching staff. Former NHLer Chris Bourque has been named Assistant General Manager, while former Marlie Denver Manderson and another former NHLer Greg Moore have been added as assistant coaches under new Marlies coach Steve Sullivan.

The current structure of the Leafs management staff is more streamlined after the dismissal of Hayley Wickenheiser, Daryl Metcalf, Brandon Pridham, and Derek Clancey, with only Ryan Hardy remaining, and Judd Brackett being added. Hardy will continue to oversee hockey operations as the Marlies GM, but will be supported by Bourque and Marlies assistant GM Mike Dixon. Sullivan’s staff will consist of assistant coach Mark Giordano, goalie coach Hannu Toivonen, Manderson, Moore, and video coach Nick Biamonte.

“Chris has established himself as an important part of our hockey operations staff, and this role reflects the immediate impact he’s had in identifying talent and supporting our player development efforts,” Hardy said in a press release. “Combined with Mike’s leadership, experience and commitment to our players and staff, we have an outstanding leadership group in place to strengthen our player development model and position the Marlies for sustained success.”

Bourque, 40, the son of Hockey Hall of Famer Ray Bourque, played 51 games for three clubs during his NHL career and in various stops in the AHL, Europe, and the KHL. He joined the Leafs in 2022 as a scout and will also serve as the head of college recruitment for the Leafs.

Coaching Adds

Manderson, 37, originally joined the Maple Leafs organization in 2017-18 following the conclusion of his playing career as a Team Consultant and was promoted to Development Coach in 2023-24, working exclusively with the NHL club. He also has worked with the Guelph Storm (OHL) and the University of Guelph (USports) in various capacities, supporting player development and skills training. During his playing career, the Fergus, Ontario native skated in more than 300 professional games across the American Hockey League, ECHL and Mestis.

Moore, 42, returns to the Marlies as Assistant Coach following three seasons with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program. During his time with the NTDP, he captured a silver medal (2023-24) and a bronze medal (2025-26) at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and a bronze medal (2024-25) at the IIHF World U18 Championship. The Lisbon, Maine native skated in 377 career AHL games with the Hartford Wolf Pack, Bridgeport Sound Tigers, Syracuse Crunch, Springfield Falcons and Adirondack Phantoms during a 10-year professional career and was an AHL All-Star in 2008. He also skated in 10 NHL games with the New York Rangers and Columbus Blue Jackets.

“I’m excited to welcome Denver and Greg to our coaching staff,” Sullivan said. “They both bring valuable experience, strong hockey knowledge and a commitment to creating an environment where players can grow and succeed. They are excellent additions to our group, and we’re looking forward to the impact they will have on our players and our organization’s continued success.”