The Toronto Maple Leafs team that General Manager Kyle Dubas and Club President Brendan Shanahan have built is shining on ice these days. However, as we dig deeper, there is more than just the on-ice play that keeps the organization glowing. The Toronto Maple Leafs change goes all the way to the standards in all areas of the organization.
Toronto Maple Leafs Change Has Come
Current Management
Toronto’s historic hockey club has built its organization on new pillars, opposing some outdated ideas. This comes with attitudes and beliefs on anti-racism, inclusion, equality, and even player/staff treatment. Every time a new management group takes over, they have an opportunity to put their stamp on the team. The present Maple Leafs regime has been doing more than simply on ice adjustments in recent years.
Horrific Events
Near the end of May 2020 horrific events based on racism occurred leading to the murder of George Floyd. By June 1st, many of the team’s members had voiced how disgruntled they were with society and the need for change. This was led by Kyle Dubas, stating a need to go further and create equality for all people.
“Together, we need to do more to not only speak out against racism … but commit ourselves to anti-racist efforts … and ensure its defeat once and for all.” pic.twitter.com/6KuPKOeKq7
— Kyle Dubas (@kyledubas) June 2, 2020
While many organizations and sports leaders said similar comments in tweets or interviews, what has been the left of the ‘needed changes’ spoken of? What improvements have we seen in these organizations? For the Toronto Maple Leafs change, it started with two new roles of Player Development, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion for former Maple Leaf Mark Fraser and Justin Bobb.
Mark Fraser spoke on Sportsnet The Fan 590 regarding the hire stating he was even learning from Kyle Dubas. The former Maple Leaf absorbed information about the importance of the need for change in society. This, all from the youngest GM in the NHL at age 35. The progressive general manager and his insights were then able to attract the right people. Finding the right people is the start of creating change in the organization.
Equality Standards
While hockey has been known to be a tough sport, the team is doing the ‘tough’ thing and having difficult conversations on these important topics internally. As per William Douglas of NHL.com, “Fraser said his main goal is to normalize conversations around race, diversity, equity and inclusion so that they’re not “big and scary” topics that have people walking on eggshells.”
Most of society has decided for the leaders of the world that racist acts will no longer be permitted through several protests around North America. This strong action coming, despite living in the middle of a pandemic. For sports organizations, finding ways to create equality and diversity will become expected from their players. Like any business, the employees (the players) are a stakeholder, and their opinions matter. Developing them into better people also creates a greater reason for them to want to stay with the organization.
Other Changing Standards
On top of the new roles to help the team adjust and innovate with our shifting world, the Toronto Maple Leafs are changing standards on more than just equality. The organization has impressed both long-standing players and newcomers with practices that include professionalism and acquiring people with the right temperament.
“It’s very impressive how like professional everything’s here,” —Veini Vehviläinen on what it’s been like with the #Leafs organization so far
— Nick Barden (@nickbarden) April 29, 2021
Continuing this track, the Toronto Maple Leafs social media account has recently mentioned celebrating Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Another boost to their expression for equality. The division-leading Maple Leafs have made many great on-ice additions that have paid off recently. It might seem as though the same leadership group was able to find more positives off-ice as well.
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