Toronto Maple Leafs’ Scott Pellerin promoted to Director of Player Development, Steve Staios leaves to become President of the OHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs

In more front office shake ups, the Maple Leafs have “elevated” Scott Pellerin to the position of Director of Player Development.

Steve Staios, who was initially hired as player development advisor before being promoted to Manager of Player Development and – laterally – stepping into an assistant coach role with the Maple Leafs after the firing of Randy Carlyle, has left to be President of the OHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs—formerly the Belleville Bulls.

[pull_quote_center]“We are truly thankful to Steve Staios for the valuable role he has played within the Leafs organization,” said Toronto Maple Leafs Assistant General Manager Kyle Dubas. “We are also excited for Steve as the Bulldogs set roots in his native Hamilton – he will serve that club and community incredibly well.[/pull_quote_center]

Pellerin played 536 NHL games with stops that included St. Louis, New Jersey, Dallas, Phoenix, Carolina, Boston and Minnesota. Beginning his coaching career in 2006-07, Pellerin was an assistant coach for the Manchester Monarchs of the AHL (LA Kings) for six seasons and Head Coach of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (New York Islanders) for two seasons. Hired by the Leafs in December of 2014 as an assistant manager of player development, Pellerin came with a reputation as a good player developer; a number of the players that were on the Monarchs ended up being key pieces in two Stanley Cups with the LA Kings.

[quote_box_center]I was fortunate enough to be with the Los Angeles Kings organization in Manchester where we had, I believe, 12 players that won the Stanley Cup with the Kings – players that came through Manchester that I was able to help coach.
-Scott Pellerin[/quote_box_center]

In his new role, he will be point man for players after they’ve been drafted, making sure that each of the Maple Leafs prospects—and NHL players—are honing individual skills, fitness and nutrition habits with a new look player development department that includes skills development consultant, Darryl Belfry, and newly appointed Director of Sports Science & Performance, Dr. Jeremy Bettle. Pellerin replaces Jim Hughes, who previously held the title until he was relieved of his duties on April 12th, 2015.

Unquestionably, for a team that simply hasn’t produced enough homegrown, young, impact NHL talent in the last decade, an improved development process will be a major part of the rebuild and has to work hand in hand with the Leafs’ major investments in improving their performance at the draft table. The Maple Leafs are betting on a different way of thinking and different processes with Pellerin, Bettle and Belfry, and looking for better results than what they experienced with Jim Hughes, Anthony Belza and company.

[pull_quote_center]“We are equally excited to see the progression of Scott Pellerin into his new role in player development. He has been a great addition since coming on board and his influence will only become greater with our young players.” Kyle Dubas[/pull_quote_center]

Further Reading

Here's a good Q & A with the Leafs new director of player development Scott Pellerin on his pillars for growth & more:http://t.co/z6jmHKXnpj

— Anthony Petrielli (@APetrielli) June 5, 2015