The Toronto Maple Leafs have hired former Philadelphia Flyers head coach Dave Hakstol as an assistant coach, the team announced on Saturday.
Hakstol had previously worked with the Flyers, registering a 134-101-42 record during his three-and-a-half-year tenure. He led the Flyers to two playoff berths in 2016 and 2018, but they lost in first round both times. Last season, Hakstol coached 31 games with Philadelphia, where the team went just 12-15-4 and was among the worst in the NHL. He was fired in December 2018. Interim coach Scott Gordon took over for the Flyers before they ultimately hired Alain Vigenault in April.
"I'm excited to have the opportunity to join the Maple Leafs coaching staff," Hakstol told NHL.com. "I look forward to building relationships with the players and getting to work with the entire group."
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Before his NHL tenure, Hakstol was an accomplished NCAA D1 hockey coach. He was behind the bench at the University of North Dakota for 11 seasons, where he led the Fighting Hawks to four WCHA championships and seven Frozen Fours. He also played three years at North Dakota while he was in college and went on to play in the IHL.
Hakstol is Toronto's second assistant-coach hire so far; Paul McFarland, who previously served as an assistant coach for the Florida Panthers, was named an assistant coach in late May. Former Toronto assistant coach Jim Hiller then left to discuss other opportunities.