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Maple Leafs and Hayley Wickenheiser part ways after eight seasons

Published July 9, 2026 at 10:33 PM UTC

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The Toronto Maple Leafs and Hayley Wickenheiser have mutually agreed to part ways after eight seasons with the organization. Wickenheiser, a trailblazer in women's hockey and a five-time Olympian, joined the Maple Leafs in 2018 as the assistant director of player development. In 2022, she was promoted to assistant general manager, becoming the first woman to hold such a position in the NHL. During her tenure, Wickenheiser was instrumental in the development of the team's prospects and played a key role in shaping the Maple Leafs' player development strategies. Her departure marks the end of a significant chapter in the organization's history, as she was a pioneering figure in integrating women into prominent roles within professional men's sports. The Maple Leafs have not yet announced a successor for Wickenheiser's position.