The Toronto Maple Leafs announced on Wednesday that former NHL player Ryane Clowe has been named the head coach of their ECHL affiliate, the Newfoundland Growlers.
Clowe has ties to the Newfoundland area having been born in St. John’s, and he was inducted into the Newfoundland and Labrador Hockey Hall of Fame earlier this month.
“We are thrilled to add Ryane to our organization as the first coach of the Newfoundland Growlers,” said Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas in a press release. “We are thankful to Ray Shero and the Devils for allowing Ryane to join us. Ryane brings two years of working on John Hynes’ staff in New Jersey in combination with his deep roots in Newfoundland to the position.
“His experience and connection with the area, along with the potential he has shown in coaching, make Ryane the best fit for our program.”
Clowe will draw from his experience as assistant coach of the New Jersey Devils, a position he has held for the last two seasons, and will work with the Maple Leafs’ development staff during the Growlers’ first season, including appearances at both the Leafs and Toronto Marlies training camps.
“I’d personally like to thank Ray Shero, John Hynes and the New Jersey Devils organization for giving me the chance to begin my coaching career,” said Clowe. “I’m grateful to the Maple Leafs for providing me with this unique opportunity and excited to return home as the first head coach of the Growlers.”
During his NHL career, Clowe scored 112 goals and added 197 assists in 491 regular season games playing for the San Jose Sharks, New York Rangers and Devils. He was originally drafted by the Sharks in the sixth round (175th overall) of the 2001 draft.
The Growlers begin their inaugural campaign in October.
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