Maple Leafs fire Ron Wilson
Posted March 2, 2012 9:47 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Brian Burke has fired head coach Ron Wilson. Former head coach of the Anaheim Ducks, Randy Carlyle, will replace Wilson.
“This was not an easy decision for me to make,” Burke said in a statement released Friday evening. “I want to thank Ron for all of his hard work and dedication to our organization over the past four seasons.”
The move came just weeks from the end of Wilson’s fourth season in Toronto. His contract had been extended in December.
Assistant Coach Rob Zettler has also been reassigned to other duties in the organization.
Fans called for Wilson’s firing earlier this week after the Leafs lost their fifth game in a row, falling further away from a playoff spot.
Anger against Wilson started with chants of “fire Wilson” in the third period of Tuesday’s game at the Air Canada Centre. It then spread on Twitter with hashtag #firewilson, trending worldwide.
On Monday, Burke said he was not interested in making a coaching change.
Friday evening Burke took to Twitter to thank Wilson for his time with the Leafs.
“I want to thank Ron for his years of service and the contributions to our club. I wish him the very best.” Burke wrote.
Wilson compiled a 130-135-45 record with the Leafs and leaves the team sitting fourth on the NHL’s all-time list for games coached.
Carlyle was head coach of the Anaheim Ducks’ for seven seasons and led the team to their first Stanley Cup championship in 2007.
Burke and Carlyle will speak to the media Saturday at 10 a.m.
