Brendan Shanahan is stepping down as president of the Toronto Maple Leafs after more than a decade at the helm of one of ice hockey’s most iconic franchises.
The announcement came Thursday, just days after Toronto’s season ended in disappointment with a heavy 6–1 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals.
Shanahan, 56, was in the final year of a six-year deal signed in 2019. His contract will not be renewed, and no successor has been named yet.
While Toronto topped the Atlantic Division with a strong 52–26–4 record, they again fell short in the playoffs despite leading the series 2–0. It is a familiar story for Leafs fans, as the team has only advanced past the second round twice under Shanahan’s leadership.
“Brendan has been a respected leader, on and off the ice,” said MLSE (Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment) CEO Keith Pelley. “But we believe a new voice is needed to help take this team further.”
A Toronto native, Shanahan joined the Maple Leafs’ front office in 2014 and helped build the current core of stars, including Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and John Tavares. Despite this talented line up, the team has continually struggled to make a deep playoff run.
During his time in charge, Toronto reached the playoffs nine times but won just two series: one against Tampa Bay in 2023 and another this year against Ottawa.
Shanahan, a Hockey Hall of Famer, is a three-time Stanley Cup champion from his playing days with the Detroit Red Wings. After retiring, he worked for the NHL in player safety before joining the Leafs.
In a farewell statement, he said, “This team, this city, and its passionate fans mean everything to me. While I am proud of the rebuild we undertook starting in 2014, I regret we could not bring the Stanley Cup back to Toronto.”
General manager Brad Treliving will now take the lead on hockey operations as the team decides on its next move.
Photo: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
