“Jim is an experienced coach with a strong understanding of what it takes to win in today’s NHL,” general manager John Chayka said in a press release. “He has worked with successful teams throughout his career, connects well with players and brings a clear approach behind the bench. We believe he’s the right person to lead our team and help us reach our goals.”

Hiller was the head coach of the Los Angeles Kings from midway through the 2023-24 season until March 2026, when the team replaced him with DJ Smith.

The Maple Leafs fired Craig Berube last month after he finished his second season behind the bench for the club, in which the team missed the playoffs for the first time in ten years.

“I’m incredibly excited for the opportunity to return to Toronto and lead the Maple Leafs,” Hiller said in the same press release. “This is a special organization with great players, passionate fans and high expectations. I’m looking forward to getting to work with our players and staff and doing everything we can to help this team reach its full potential.”

From the 2015-16 season to the 2018-19 season, Hiller served as an assistant coach for the Maple Leafs to Mike Babcock. He’s also served as an assistant coach on the Detroit Red Wings, New York Islanders, and the Kings for a couple of years before being promoted by the club.

Prior to his NHL coaching career that began in 2014-15, he coached professional hockey teams for 12 years, starting with the WHL’s Tri-City Americans as an assistant coach for two seasons.

His first time as a head coach began in 2004-05 with the BCHL’s Alberni Valley Bulldogs, where he also served as general manager. In the 2006-07 season he became the head coach of the Chilliwack Bruins for three seasons. He went back to the Americans in 2011-12 to serve for five seasons as their head coach.

Arun Srinivasan

@Arunthings

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Asked Leafs head coach Jim Hiller about his 1-3-1 system with the Kings and how his tactics may differ from Craig Berube:

6:31 PM · Jun 17, 2026

Ryan Craig officially hired by Golden Knights

The Vegas Golden Knights have also hired a new head coach. Coming as a surprise to no one, Ryan Craig will step in behind the bench for the Golden Knights as John Tortorella steps out.

Vegas Golden Knights

@GoldenKnights

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COACH CRAIG ⚔️ Vegas Golden Knights General Manager Kelly McCrimmon has announced Ryan Craig will be the fifth Head Coach in franchise history. Press release ➡️ vgk.io/VEPdN

Graphic that says HEAD COACH RYAN CRAIG with a photo of Ryan smiling

5:04 PM · Jun 17, 2026

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Golden Knights’ general manager Kelly McCrimmon met with the media Wednesday morning to speak about the 2025-26 season, and the future of the organization.

“I had pretty strong feelings on our organization of where it needs to go next,” McCrimmon said when asked about whether winning the cup would have affected the hiring. “Ryan has been in our organization for nine years. Six years with our team, and three years as a head coach in Henderson. He is ready to be an NHL head coach.”

McCrimmon also commented on Tortorella’s short term with the organization. Tortorella joined the team with eight games left in the regular season, and coached them through 22 playoff games on their way to the Stanley Cup Final. The team held a 21-8-1 record through his time as the head coach, however, they will be moving on.

“I want to thank John Tortorella for his time in the organization. What an impact he had. The energy, the enthusiasm. He saved our season, he turned our team around,” McCrimmon said. “We really wanted to give this opportunity to Ryan Craig.”

He said that Tortorella had an idea of the situation as soon as he was hired, as the two parties agreed to reconvene at the end of the season to discuss their respective futures. According to the GM, Tortorella wanted to stay, but supported the organization’s decision to move on.

“I met with John on Monday morning… he had Ryan Craig as a player, he has the same opinion of Ryan Craig that most people do,” McCrimmon said, adding that he has already informed the other 31 teams in the league of the coach’s availability. “I know he was disappointed, because he did want to coach our team next year, also he’s got a regard for Ryan and has a lot of respect for the organization.”

Even though the plan was always for Craig to be promoted to their NHL position, the organization decided that waiting until the end of the season was the best option.

“I don’t feel it would have been fair to Ryan Craig to start his career as a head coach that way. The other part of it was Henderson was having a really good year… We felt that the finish of the Henderson season was also really important to Ryan’s development.”

Andre Touringy stays with Mammoth

It’s a big day for NHL coaching news, as the Utah Mammoth complete the trio of teams to give a head coach a contract. In their case, it is an extension to one of the longest tenured coaches currently in the NHL.

David Pagnotta

@TheFourthPeriod

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I'm hearing the Utah Mammoth have signed head coach Andre Tourigny to a one-year contract extension. He's now under contract through the 2027-28 season.

6:40 PM · Jun 17, 2026

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The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta reported on Wednesday that the Utah Mammoth have added another season onto Andre Tourigny’s deal, that was originally set to expire in 2027.

This season was a big one for the Mammoth as they made their first playoff appearance in franchise history, securing a wildcard spot with their 43-33-6 record. They faced the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round, and lost the series in six games.

Tourigny’s time with this squad extends beyond the NHL’s expansion to Utah, dating back to when the team was located in Arizona. His first season as head coach of the Arizona Coyotes was five years ago, and his record stands at 170-195-45, the fourth worst points percentage in the league during that time.

There is currently no insight about the details of this one-year extension for Tourigny.