Toronto Maple Leafs name Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser assistant general manager

Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser assistant general manager.

Wickenheiser will be joined by Ryan Hardy and Darryl Metcalf, both of whom were also promoted to assistant general manager Tuesday. The club also announced it hired Curtis Sanford as goalie coach.

Wickenheiser joined the Maple Leafs organization in 2018-19 as assistant director of player development before taking on a senior role in the same department this past season.

The Canadian women’s hockey legend’s new role with the Leafs will see her specialize in player development. Wickenheiser has been elected into both the Hockey Hall of Fame and the IIHF Hall of Fame after winning seven World Championships and five Olympic medals.

This offseason has seen many women taking on various roles around the league. Cammi Granato and Emilie Castonguay were both named assistant general managers of the Vancouver Canucks, while Meghan Hunter took on the same role with the Chicago Blackhawks. Emily Engel-Natzke, meanwhile, became the first full-time female coaching staff member to take on a video role with the Washington Capitals.

Hardy will work in a minor league operations role, while Metcalf will work in hockey research and development. Brandon Pridham, meanwhile, will continue in his current role as the primary assistant general manager.

Lastly, the Leafs announced Laurence Gilman will now serve as governor and senior vice-president of the AHL’s Toronto Marlies.

Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.