Maple Leafs fire Berube

The Toronto Maple Leafs have released Craig Berube, a Cree from the Alberta hamlet of Calahoo, from his head coaching duties. The announcement was made by press statement May 13 by the club’s new general manager John Chayka.

“Craig is a tremendous coach and an even better person,” said Chayka, who was named as Leafs’ GM May 3. “This decision is more reflective of an organizational shift and an opportunity for a fresh start than it is an evaluation of Craig. We are grateful for his leadership, professionalism and commitment to the Maple Leafs organization and wish Craig and his family nothing but the best moving forward.”

Berube, who is 60, served two seasons as the Leafs’ bench boss. During his first season he led the Toronto club to an impressive 52-26-4 record, good for top spot in the league’s eight-team Atlantic Division. 

After beating the Ottawa Senators 4-2 in a best-of-seven opening-round playoff series, the Leafs’ season came to an end when they were defeated 4-3 in a best-of-seven, second-round series by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

The Berube-coached Leafs did not have as much success this season. Toronto finished in the bottom of the eight-team Atlantic Division, failing to qualify for the playoffs after winning just 32 of its 82 regular season matches.

After the early-morning press statement was issued about Berube’s fate, Chayka met with the press to further discuss the firing.

“I just want to start off by thanking Craig Berube and his family for their contributions to the Toronto Maple Leafs,” he said. “I got to spend some time with Craig. He's a great man (and a) very good coach. (He) did a lot of good things here. And that's not lost on me. I told him myself, I hope to lead with the same class and grace that he did in his time here.”

But Chayka felt it was best to part ways with Berube.

“After reviewing the organization and spending some time in the facility and meeting with staff, we felt like this was the right decision on the path ahead,” Chayka said. “It was an organizational decision. It was not a verdict on Craig's coaching. I think it stands for itself. And we felt that this was the right decision at this time.”

Chayka said he met with Berube in person and decided on May 12 that it would be best for the organization to fire him. He said it was best not to delay announcing his decision.

Chayka said there is no set timeline to name a new Leafs’ head coach. The press release added the eventual new head coach would determine his coaching staff. It remains to be seen if any of Berube’s assistant coaches—Derek Lalonde, Mike Van Ryn and Steve Sullivan—will be retained.

Chayka said that Berube was interested in keeping his job even though the Leafs took some steps backwards this season.

“His heart is in it,” Chayka said. “That's the kind of guy he is. And I think he felt like he had some unfinished business.”

Besides Toronto, Berube was the head coach of two other NHL squads. He coached the Philadelphia Flyers for two seasons from 2013 to 2015. 

The Flyers made the playoffs in Berube’s first season behind the bench, but lost out in the opening round of the playoffs. He was fired at the conclusion of the next season when Philadelphia failed to qualify for post-season action.

Berube resurfaced in the NHL as the St. Louis Blues’ associate coach for the start of the 2017-18 season. Midway through the following season he was named as the Blues’ head coach.

Berube had his greatest coaching successes with the Blues, leading the organization to its one and only Stanley Cup championship in 2019.

The St. Louis club fired him in December 2023. The Leafs hired Berube as their head coach five months later.

Berube, who is nicknamed Chief, also had a lengthy NHL playing career. He appeared in 1,143 NHL contests during his 17-season career.

He played 40 games with the Maple Leafs during the 1991-92 season. During his playing days he also suited up for Philadelphia, Calgary Flames, Washington Capitals and New York Islanders.

Berube earned 163 points as an NHLer. He was best known for his physical play and racked up 3,360 penalty minutes during his career.