The Toronto Maple Leafs hired a former Red Wings coach as their new head coach but it wasn’t Derek Lalonde or Pat Ferschweiler.

The Maple Leafs had a lengthy coach search, which included interviews with former Detroit coach Lalonde and former Detroit assistant Ferschweiler. Toronto settled on recycled NHL coach Jim Hiller who spent three seasons as the Los Angeles Kings head coach. Former Red Wings GM Ken Holland, now LA’s GM, fired him earlier this year.

Hiller’s time with the Red Wings included 21 games as a player in 1992-93 and one season as coach Mike Babcock’s assistant before he left to join the Maple Leafs. Hiller went with him to Toronto.

Pat Ferschweiler, Head Coach at Western Michigan, had a Zoom interview and then an in person interview in Toronto for the Maple Leafs opening that Jim Hiller got today. Ferschweiler interviewed with the Flyer last summer. He’s be an all around great hire. Player’s coach,… pic.twitter.com/NNlAshsCs8

— BucciOT.Com (@Buccigross) June 17, 2026

Ferschweiler, 56, has been coach at Western Michigan University for five seasons and led the school to the NCAA title in 2025. Before then, Ferschweiler was an assistant coach with the Grand Rapids Griffins and spent years as a Detroit Red Wings assistant under Jeff Blashill. He’s been a hot name in the NHL coaching market for a couple of seasons.

Another former Red Wings coach, Derek Lalonde, is also considered a candidate. He has been a Maple Leafs assistant coach.

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Red Wings Extra

Many Red Wings fans, particularly older fans, share the Canadian sadness over the decision to move Hockey Night in Canada broadcasts off CBC. Some of us grew up in the days when the Hockey Night in Canada broadcast was a TV highlight of the weekend. The musical theme is legendary. Dave Hodge. Don Cherry. The Hot Stove was must-see TV. Games coming from historic Maple Leafs Gardens or the Montreal Forum. Before proliferation of NHL television coverage, HNIC provided increased opportunity to see stars like Bobby Orr or Jean Beliveau of Bobby Hull. Playoff coverage kept us up even on school nights

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