Wild Thing

Leafs hire Al Iafrate as new Director of Player Development

December 7th, 2021 BY HIERONYMUS MACMILLAN

Toronto Maples Leafs first year General Manager Led Tasso isn't familiar with Al Iafrate on a personal level, but he's always had a special connection with him from childhood: "When we were kids, we weren't allowed to shoot pucks in the street. So we'd go out into the backyard and lay down a piece of wood or plexiglass and shoot pucks off of that. I don't know how it started, but when it was your turn to shoot you'd yell out the name of a player, I guess to try to channel that guy and shoot the puck hard. Needless to say, when it was my turn to shoot I yelled out 'Al Iafrate' quite a bit," he explained during the Leafs press conference announcing the hire.

For those unfamiliar, Al Iafrate was a unit. He was a 6'3", 240lb goaltenders nightmare. Drafted 4th overall by Toronto all the way back in 1984, it wasn't until the 1993 NHL All-Star Game that the skulleted Iafrate left his legacy on the game forever. His shot of 105.2mph, while a member of the Washington Capitals, set the record for hardest shot and stood for 16 years. Now, however, instead of rocketing pucks into the net he will be trying to help the next generation of Leafs prospects rocket into the line-up. Hired as Director of Player Development, Iafrate will be working specifically with the young defensemen within the system. This includes Jamie Drysdale (who is already playing meaningful minutes with the big club), Brandt Clarke, Scott Perunovich, Declan Chisholm, and newly acquired Jake Christiansen (obtained via trade with San Jose) among others.

"This is a guy who played nearly 800 games in the NHL. He was a high draft pick, battled injuries throughout his career and did whatever it took to play at the highest level. We believe that his experience and the knowledge he can pass onto the young guys working their way up will be invaluable." Lasso continued, "we had been talking with Al for a few weeks, and had him come by and talk with a few of the guys and things went well. So, next was discussing it with him to see if he'd be interested in making it permanent. Whether or not he wanted to get back into the game in this capacity. As you can see, everything worked out."

When asked what he personally thought he could bring to the table, Iafrate quipped, "I can assure you that I won't be giving them any hairstyle or fashion tips. Even though I think the mullet might be coming back in fashion." He went on to say that most players these days come in already very poised and mature, and with skillsets far beyond anything players in his day possessed. "It's more a matter of them getting used to the pace of game and knowing when to use those skills. A lot of it you can't teach per se, these guys just need to get the reps in. Whether that's down with the Marlies or up here with the Leafs. Ultimately, all of those decisions are up to management and the coaching staff. I'll just be their spirit guide," Iafrate mused, gaining chuckles from the gaggle of reporters and journos.

What's not to like about a leather jacket wearing, Harley riding spirit guide???

There's a bit of familiarity between head coach John MacLean and Iafrate as well, albeit a small one. MacLean was traded to San Jose in 1997-98 while Iafrate was already on the team. MacLean played 51 games with the Sharks before moving on and signing with the Rangers in the offseason while that was to be the last year of Iafrate's career.

This also marks the second time this year in the RHL that a former Shark (and all-around badass) has been hired in a coaching/managerial position after GM BRRR brought Rob Zettler to takeover coaching duties for Lindy Ruff.