Leafs Officially Name Ron Wilson New Head Coach
Posted June 10, 2008 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
We knew it was coming, and interim G.M. Cliff Fletcher even joked about the “surprise” announcement Tuesday, but any doubt concerning Toronto’s new head coach was finally put to rest when the Leafs officially named Ron Wilson the new bench boss at an afternoon press conference.
Wilson, who was fired by the San Jose Sharks after they failed to meet playoff expectations, is excited about coming back to the province he was born and raised in. He’s also a former player, suiting up for the Buds between 1977-80.
“This is an unbelievable day for me,” Wilson told a throng of reporters. “The last couple of weeks have been very exciting. Obviously when you lose your job in this league, you often wonder if you’ll get another opportunity. The furthest thing from my mind at any point in my hockey career is that I would have an opportunity ever to coach a team like the Toronto Maple Leafs with their incredible history.
“I’m fulfilling a dream. I’m kind of completing the circle.”
“When I was growing up in Fort Erie, I dreamed of playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs as long as I can remember. I lived and died with the Maple Leafs…and got an opportunity to play for the Leafs…and today, to be able to come back and be a part of the Maple Leafs again is just basically a dream fulfilled that I never thought I’d get to experience.”
Wilson seems to grasp what all Leaf fans already fully understand — the team needs restructuring.
“I view the Leafs as a team in transition,” he admitted. “It’s going to require a lot of work. It is going to require a lot of energy and attention to detail.
“We’ll have a good time. We’ll get to know each other. There will be good days. More good days than bad days, I hope.”
Fletcher feels he chose the right man for the job.
“Ron’s career has been very distinguished,” he said. “Fourteen years as an NHL head coach. Experience in World Cup competition, winning a championship. Experience in the Olympics. And lots of experience in Stanley Cup playoff competition. But most of all, we’re excited about bringing Ron on board because of his track record in working with and developing good, young hockey players which as we all know, is the key for the future of our club here.”
- Wilson’s .540 winning percentage with the Washington Capitals ranks him third on the franchise’s all-time list behind Bryan Murray (.572) and Terry Murray (.545). Coaching the San Jose Sharks he earned the title “Best Coach” for the 2003-04 season by The Hockey News.
The 10 Things You Never Knew About Ron Wilson
1) Wilson was drafted 132nd by the Maple Leafs as a defenceman out of Providence College in the eighth round of the 1975 entry draft.
2) A native of Windsor and former resident of Fort Eire, Wilson is an American citizen who suited up for the U.S. national team on multiple occasions.
3) Wilson spent six years of his playing career overseas in the Swiss pro league.
4) Wilson’s father Larry and uncle Johnny were both once coaches of the Detroit Red Wings.
5) Wilson is the 11th coach in NHL history to record 500 wins behind the bench.
6) Wilson is the winningest coach in San Jose Sharks history.
7) Toronto is Wilson’s fourth NHL coaching job following stops in Washington, Anaheim and San Jose.
8) Wilson’s coaching career began in 1990 as an assistant with the Vancouver Canucks.
9) 2007-08 was Wilson’s most successful season as head coach, collecting 108 points behind the Sharks’ bench.
10) Wilson’s first and only trip to the Stanley Cup final came in 1997-98 where his Capitals were swept by the Red Wings.
Overall Coaching Record:
Mighty Ducks (1983-1997)
Wins: 120
Losses: 145
Ties: 31
Washington Capitals (1997-2002)
Wins: 192
Losses: 159
Ties: 51
San Jose Sharks (2002-08)
Wins: 206
Losses: 122
Ties: 19 (starting in 2005 season, there were no more ties)
Totals:
Wins: 518
Losses: 426
Ties: 101
