TORONTO - Jim Hiller, the new head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, may hold a crucial advantage in retaining captain Auston Matthews: a personal relationship built over seven years of staying in touch after leaving the organization.
Hiller, who was an assistant in Toronto from 2015-19, said he regularly met with Matthews in Arizona, where both were raised. That connection comes at a pivotal time, as several American-born NHL stars have recently engineered exits from Canadian clubs. Matthew Tkachuk left Calgary for Florida; Quinn Hughes orchestrated a move from Vancouver to Minnesota; and Brady Tkachuk followed his brother to the Panthers after eight years in Ottawa.
Hiller, 56, emphasized that trust and communication are essential in a “people business” and believes his prior bond with Matthews will help synchronize their approach on the ice. He specifically aims to revive the power play, noting that Matthews’s prowess there could spark the team’s five-on-five offense.
Hiller replaces Craig Berube, dismissed after two seasons. The Maple Leafs, who haven’t won the Stanley Cup since 1967, are under immense pressure from a passionate fan base. Hiller welcomed the challenge: “What a city, what a fan base, what energy. If you’re a competitive person, what a great place to be competitive in.”