Maple Leafs Bring Back Familiar Face to Replace Craig Berube as Head Coach

After an extensive interview process, the Toronto Maple Leafs finally settled on a head coach replacement for Craig Berube.

The 60-year-old Berube was fired following a 32-36-14 season and last-place finish in the Atlantic Division. He was 84-62-18 with one division title and one playoff appearance in two seasons with the team.

"Leafs announce Jim Hiller as their new HC," The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun posted on X. "Former assistant in Toronto under Mike Babcock. Leafs’ coaching search was expansive, more than 20 candidates. The likes of Jay Woodcroft, Patrick Roy, Dallas Eakins and Joe Pavelski were considered in the final phase. But Hiller gets the nod."

Hiller has had just one run as an NHL head coach with the Los Angeles Kings from 2023-2026. He was fired toward the end of last season and replaced with D.J. Smith. The Kings ultimately hired Peter Laviolette as their permanent head coach moving forward.

The 57-year-old Hiller led L.A. to a 93-58-24 record with two playoff appearances during his brief run. He already has a familiarity with most of Toronto's top stars - Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares, Morgan Reilly - from his previous tenure with the team as an assistant.

Hiller will have a solid core of players to work with plus the first overall pick in the 2026 NHL draft, though the Leafs have a pretty baron farm system outside of top prospects Easton Cowan and Ben Danford.

Many were surprised Hiller landed the job given the caliber of some of the candidates interviewed.

Woodcroft took over the Edmonton Oilers midseason back in 2021 and led them all the way to the Western Conference Finals. He followed that up with a 50-win season and another playoff appearance the following year.

Roy won 227 games over six seasons with the Colorado Avalanche and Mew York Islanders that included two playoff appearances and one division title. He also had a sterling run as a head coach in the QMJHL, compiling a 524-255-65 record with two Memorial Cup championships, six first-place finishes, and 12 playoff appearances.

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This story was originally published June 17, 2026 at 7:30 AM.