Maple Leafs Hall of Famer and assistant general manager, Hayley Wickenheiser was one of about a dozen front office employees let go as new general manager John Chayka restructure the team, Yankee Scores reports.
The Departure
Wickenheiser herself broke the news in a social media post, saying her conversations with Chayka regarding her future role made it plain she would not be part of his plans moving forward.
“It has been a tremendous honor to work for the Toronto Maple Leafs for the past eight seasons,” Wickenheiser wrote. “Over the past few days, John Chayka and I have had a number of discussions about my role going forward”.
“In those meetings I was expecting to be in a position where I could still make a meaningful effect within the organization. But it soon became evident that his leadership team wanted to move in a different direction.”
Canadian hockey icon Hayley Wickenheiser announced her departure from the Toronto Maple Leafs on Instagram this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/P81JIv5qUv
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) July 9, 2026
A Wonderful Run In Toronto
Wickenheiser, who is one of the most decorated women’s hockey players in history with four Olympic gold medals, joined the Maple Leafs as assistant director of player development in 2018.
She was appointed to assistant general manager in 2022, and has continued to be heavily involved with the team’s prospects, making an appearance at development camp as recently as last week.
More Names Out The Door
According to ESPN, It wasn’t only Wickenheiser. Others were assistant GM of hockey research and development Darryl Metcalf, director of amateur scouting Mark Leach and senior advisor of player personnel Dave Morrison.
Chayka became general manager in early May when Brad Treliving was sacked toward the end of the regular season.
Toronto missed the playoffs for the first time in nine years in 2025-26, going 32-36-14 for their fewest points since 2015-16.
