The Toronto Maple Leafs have named John Gruden as an assistant coach under new head coach Jim Hiller. Gruden arrives after three seasons leading the Toronto Marlies to a Calder Cup title.
Gruden, 56, spent the past three seasons as head coach of the Marlies. The team finished the 2025-26 regular season with a 36-26-5-5 record and 82 points before winning the Calder Cup in five games against the Chicago Wolves.
Over his time with the Marlies, Gruden posted a 107-75-19-15 record. He previously served as an assistant coach with the New York Islanders from 2018 to 2022 and the Boston Bruins from 2022 to 2023.
A native of Virginia, Minnesota, Gruden also coached in the Ontario Hockey League and played professionally as a defenseman for ten seasons after attending Ferris State University.
