Toronto Maple Leafs appoint Jim Hiller as head coach

General manager John Chayka said the Maple Leafs’ coaching search was in its “final phases” in mid‑June 2026, after trading goalie Joseph Woll and defenseman Simon Benoit to the Philadelphia Flyers. The team had been evaluating candidates such as Joe Pavelski, Patrick Roy, Jay Woodcroft and Dallas Eakins.

On June 17, 2026 the Leafs announced that Jim Hiller would become the franchise’s 41st head coach. The 57‑year‑old Canadian returns after serving as an assistant coach with Toronto from 2015‑19, a three‑season stint as head coach of the Los Angeles Kings, and a recent tenure as an assistant with the Kings. Hiller replaces Craig Berube, who was dismissed in May following a disappointing season that left the club near the bottom of the Eastern Conference. The hire is part of an off‑season overhaul led by Chayka, who took over as GM in May and is preparing for the 2026 NHL Entry Draft and upcoming free‑agency period.