Same front office role, new Maple Leafs boss for Hayley Wickenheiser
It was strange not to see Kyle Dubas on the viewing deck at the Ford Centre as Maple Leafs development camp began Monday, certainly for the person in the departed general manager’s usual place.
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Hayley Wickenheiser, the Dubas-appointed director of player development and assistant GM, was pumped to be back in her mentor role and had lots of keen observations for the media about the 41 draft picks, prospects and free agents. Except now she’s reporting to a new boss in Brad Treliving.
“I loved working with Kyle, first off, an incredible human being,” Wickenheiser said. “He was great to me in being able to manage the massive amount of (medical) school that goes with what I was doing (getting her degree while working for the Leafs.)
“But it’s the nature of the business; you are hired to be fired in the NHL. It’s very hard when you get close to people and then see them go.
“My role is the same. I know a bit of Brad during the years, I’ve had a really good start with him. He’s bringing a little different twist, but a change sometimes is good for everyone to adapt and move forward. It’s part of winning that change is inevitable. It’s how you go with it.”
Two of the most watched kids at this camp are forwards in last year’s top pick Fraser Minten, from Kamloops of the Western Hockey League, and 2023 first-rounder Easton Cowan, of the Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights.
“I really like Easton. Something about him speaks to me about an internal fire,” Wickenheiser said. “The odds of being a smaller (5-foot-10), playing Jr. B, getting drafted higher than people thought (28th overall). He’s a very modest farm boy and was able to make the Knights at age 17, kill penalties and play important minutes. He’s easy to work with.”
The camp continues all week with various on- and off-ice tutoring and a Saturday morning scrimmage.
“Every kid dreams of this,” said Cowan of putting on a blue and white sweater. “There are lots of great teachers out here (such as NHL veteran Nik Antropov) and great players.”
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Former Knights like Nazem Kadri have texted Cowan with best wishes.
“I want to take it slow, but get bigger, stronger and faster for next year.”
Easton was named for the stick brand of the same name by his hockey fan parents, but does not have a deal with the company.
“I’m a CCM guy,” he said with a laugh.
