Maple Leafs introduce Brendan Shanahan as team president and alternate governor

TORONTO – Brendan Shanahan is officially on the job in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ front office.

The Hockey Hall of Famer was introduced as Toronto’s new president and alternate governor today.

He says he’s eager to get to work learning about the organization, which missed the playoffs after a late-season collapse.

The 45-year-old Toronto native will oversee all team operations for the franchise.

Shanahan had been working as the head of the NHL’s Department of Player Safety.

He won three Stanley Cups and played for five teams over his long playing career.

Tim Leiweke, president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, says he knew he wanted a “hockey guy” to lead the Leafs’ front office.

“He knows about leadership,” Leiweke told a news conference.

General manager Dave Nonis says Shanahan will “add a lot to the organization.”

“I think we’re both looking forward to moving forward,” he said. “There’s a lot of things we need to change.”

Toronto wrapped up its disappointing season on Saturday night with a loss in Ottawa. The Maple Leafs looked like they were bound for the playoffs in early March but an eight-game losing skid down the stretch derailed their season.

The Leafs ended up 12th in the Eastern Conference standings.

Shanahan had 656 goals and 698 assists in 1,524 career NHL games for the New Jersey Devils, St. Louis Blues, Hartford Whalers, Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers, winning three Stanley Cups along the way.

He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in November.