Toronto Maple Leafs announce new head coach and it's a bit of a shock

The Toronto Maple Leafs' head coaching search has officially come to an end.

On Wednesday, the Maple Leafs announced on social media that Jim Hiller, the former bench boss of the Los Angeles Kings, has been named the team's 41st head coach in franchise history.

The move to hire Hiller comes as a surprise to Toronto Maple Leafs fans, considering some of the other names rumoured to be in contention for the role.

Hiller previously served as an assistant coach with the Maple Leafs for parts of five seasons under Mike Babcock, from 2015 to 2019. The Port Alberni, B.C. native oversaw the power play and is a familiar face to Leafs stars Auston Matthews and William Nylander.

Jim Hiller has been named the 41st Head Coach in franchise history!

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) June 17, 2026

The 57-year-old also has a prior relationship with new Maple Leafs GM John Chayka, having interviewed with Chayka's Arizona Coyotes for an assistant job in 2020.

This Maple Leafs position will only be Hiller's second NHL head coaching opportunity. He previously replaced Todd McLellan on the Kings' bench mid-way through the 2023-24 season, only to be fired on March 1 of this past season.

The team conducted an extensive coaching search, featuring a rumoured 20+ candidates, to fill this vacant position after dismissing Craig Berube on May 13, following a playoff-less 2025-26 season.

Welcome back, Jim 🍁 pic.twitter.com/rNqNeZnXCv

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) June 17, 2026

Some of the names included: NHL legend Patrick Roy, former San Jose Sharks captain Joe Pavelski, and veteran NHL coach Peter Laviolette.

Chayka and newly-hired Hiller will now shift gears and turn attention to next week's NHL Draft, where the team holds the first-overall pick.