The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Friday that Craig Berube — who amassed more than 3,100 penalty minutes on the ice — will be the team’s next head coach.
This announcement comes eight days after they announced former head coach Sheldon Keefe was terminated from the role.
Berube previously coached the St. Louis Blues from 2019 to 2023, where they won the Stanley Cup in his first year. He also coached the Philadelphia Flyers for two years.
The Leafs posted the news to their Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) accounts.
“Introducing the 32nd head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Craig Berube,” the post read.
The 58-year-old replaces Sheldon Keefe, who coached the Leafs between 2019 and when he was fired on May 9, 2024, after a first-round playoff loss.
Berube has a long history with the NHL, playing 1,054 regular season games over 17 years in various teams, including the Leafs, before coaching. He recorded 159 points and 3,149 penalty minutes.
Berube was a left-wing for the Leafs in the 1991-92 season and played 40 games.
The Leafs also posted photos of Berube as a player on their social platforms, with the caption “Welcome back, coach!” minutes after the announcement.
The announcement did not offer details on Berube’s contract but TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported on X that it is a four-year deal.
The news comes after much speculation about his hiring, with various reports he also met with the New Jersey Devils and the Winnipeg Jets.
Berube will address the media on Tuesday to share more details about his new role with the team.
More to come.