The Toronto Maple Leafs have bolstered their development staff with the hiring of Danielle Goyette as director of player development. They have also promoted Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser to senior director of the same department. The news comes as Toronto sets itself to battle the Montreal Canadiens in the Stanley Cup Playoffs this week. TSN announced the news Monday morning.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have announced the promotion for Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser to senior director of player development and the hiring of HHOFer Danielle Goyette as director of player development: https://t.co/crSQlHxMLY#TSNHockey pic.twitter.com/7WQgPf9Xxv
— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) May 17, 2021
Maple Leafs Hire Danielle Goyette
Goyette looks like a very strong hire on paper. The 55-year-old Quebec native was named to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013 for her efforts as a player. Goyette participated in two Olympic Games and helped the nation win multiple gold medals in the famous international event and is one of the most successful Canadians in international play. She has been the head coach of the Calgary Dinos women’s team since 2007. She has by no means been away from hockey for any significant stretch of time.
Promoting Wickenheiser is another sign that the Leafs are eager to maximize every possible asset. She is also a hugely successful individual hockey player with multiple Olympic gold medals and the Hockey Hall of Fame on her resume. Both of these hires look outstanding as Toronto seeks to separate itself both on and off the ice as an elite and modern organization.
What This Represents For Hockey
Both of these moves reflect an organization that is not afraid to seek talent outside of traditional hockey circles. It’s far too easy for teams to seek former hockey players for critical front office or development positions, but not the Leafs. They are not shy about leveraging Canada’s excellent tradition of women’s hockey to accumulate and retain the sport’s top minds. Player development is only going to get more important, but Toronto is positioning itself on the cutting edge of such things. Moves like this could follow around the league if the team continues to improve the on-ice product.
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