Leafs announce AHL coaching changes

[Madferret]

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Ferguson announced Wednesday that the contracts of St. John's Maple Leafs head coach Doug Shedden and assistant coaches Kevin McClelland and Russ Adam have expired, and the trio will not be offered contract extensions.

"I would like to thank Doug, Kevin and Russ for their contributions to the community of St. John's, the St. John's Maple Leafs and the Toronto Maple Leafs," said Ferguson. "I wish them nothing but the best in their future endeavours."

Shedden spent the past two seasons in St. John's as the coach of the AHL Leafs. After missing the postseason in 2004, St. John's won a franchise-record 46 games during the 2004-05 regular season before falling to Manitoba in the North Division semifinals.

The Maple Leafs' AHL operations are moving to Toronto, where the Marlies will hit the ice in the fall

http://www.theahl.com/AHL/News/2005/05/04/tor05_180.jpg

Right move?

[Amoroq]

This was so last month!

[Newfie John]

Wrong move for sure. I just don't understand it. Shedden brought this team to it's best season it's ever had. Success= loss of job?

If Doug Gilmour is hired, then its obviously a publicity stunt because they know they have to do a lot to get the fans in the stands and not make themselves look like idiots by moving the team out of St. Johns.

[leaferfan87]

I agree with NJ. Shedden took this team that was expected to go nowhere and led them to a very successful season even though the playoffs were disapointing. It's clear that Shedden got to these young kids and got the best out of them and there had to have been a level of respect for him so I don't understand this move.

As for Doug Gilmour I don't think he'd work in a Head Coaching role, but an assistant isn't far fetched.

[J.R.]

Success= loss of job?Apparently.

I've got another one. Success in St. John's = Loss of team.

Good moves, TML. :rolleyes:

[Newfie John]

Apparently.

I've got another one. Success in St. John's = Loss of team.

Good moves, TML. :rolleyes:

When you put it that way, I guess there's no need to wonder why we haven't won a cup in 38 years*.

[leaferfan87]

When you put it that way, I guess there's no need to wonder why we haven't won a cup in 38 years*.

As a matter of fact NJ...taking away minor league teams IS precisely the reason the Leafs got so F'd up in the 1970's and haven't won a cup since '67. The story was that Pal Hal fearing a cash shortage got rid of many of the Leafs minor league teams. They once had multiple clubs and it was soon reduced to only a couple, which severely limited the Leafs access to talent.

[Iced Tea]

As for Doug Gilmour I don't think he'd work in a Head Coaching role, but an assistant isn't far fetched.
I don't see Gilmour giving up his lucrative hair products commercials with Kerry Fraser to become an AHL assistant coach.