Maple Leafs Name Jim Hiller As New Head Coach

The Toronto Maple Leafs have finally ended the suspense, and after a long, exhaustive search, have landed on former assistant coach Jim Hiller as their new head coach.

Jim Hiller has been named the 41st Head Coach in franchise history!
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) June 17, 2026

It's a surprising hiring, considering Hiller hadn't been named among the short list of finalists according to all of the media reports. Joe Pavelski, Patrick Roy, Dallas Eakins, Jay Woodcroft (depending on who you talked to) and Western Michigan’s Pat Ferschweiler were named in reports this week as still in the running.

Perhaps one thing we've learned about the new Leafs management team with this hiring is that they can keep things close to the vest, if necessary.

Hiller is a familiar name in Toronto, serving as an assistant for four years

The 57-year-old Hiller certainly has familiarity with the franchise, having been an assistant under Mike Babcock for four years. He has worked with Auston Matthews and William Nylander.

Hiller has a 93-58-24 record as an NHL head coach, leading the Los Angeles Kings from 2023 through to this March before he was fired there.

“Jim is an experienced coach with a strong understanding of what it takes to win in today’s NHL,” general manager John Chayka said in a press release. “He has worked with successful teams throughout his career, connects well with players and brings a clear approach behind the bench. We believe he’s the right person to lead our team and help us reach our goals.”

Craig Berube was fired as the Leafs' head coach one month ago.