An offseason of change continues for the Toronto Maple Leafs.On the same day that Steve Sullivan was named the new head coach of the Toronto Marlies, the Leafs made a number of personnel changes as John Chayka and Mats Sundin continue to reshape the front office.In a post on Instagram, Hayley Wickenheiser, an assistant general manager and member of the organization since 2018, announced that she would be leaving the team.“Over the last few days, John Chayka and I had several discussions about my role moving forward,” Wickenheiser wrote. “During those conversations, my expectation was that I would be in a position to continue to have a significant impact within the organization. However, it became clear that his leadership group envisioned a different path.”The team also parted ways with director of amateur scouting Mark Leach, assistant general manager Darryl Metcalf and Dave Morrison, the senior adviser for player personnel. The Toronto Sun was first to report the news. The departures of Leach, Metcalf and Morrison were confirmed by people with firsthand knowledge of the terminations, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private personnel matters.
“As part of our ongoing evaluation of the organization, we have made the difficult decision to part ways with some valued colleagues,” Chayka said in a statement that did not name those affected. “These decisions were not easy and are not a reflection of the commitment of the impacted people. We are sincerely grateful for everything they have contributed to this organization and wish them nothing but the very best in the future.”Morrison had been with the team for more than 20 years, starting with the club as an amateur scout in 2004 before advancing into more senior roles, including a lengthy run as the director of amateur scouting.Dave Morrison, second from right, had been with the Leafs for over 20 years. (Bruce Bennett / Getty Images)Leach was hired two years ago by then-Leafs general manager Brad Treliving to fulfill that same role, running the draft. Metcalf oversaw the research and development department.Earlier in the offseason, the Leafs also let go longtime vice president of media Steve Keogh and parted ways with other front-office staff members from previous regimes, including Brandon Pridham, Shane Doan and Derek Clancey.Craig Berube was fired as head coach soon after Chayka and Sundin were hired as general manager and senior executive adviser, respectively. Berube’s assistant coaches, Mike van Ryn and Derek Lalonde, were dismissed earlier this week amid the hiring of Daniel Alfredsson, Brad Werenka and John Gruden as assistants on new head coach Jim Hiller’s staff.Chayka hired Judd Brackett as assistant general manager, overseeing player evaluation, including at the draft. Freddie Hamilton was hired as chief of staff, a newly created position.Jul 9, 2026Connections: Sports EditionSpot the pattern. Connect the termsFind the hidden link between sports terms
