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5 Facts About New Toronto Maple Leafs Coach Sheldon Keefe’s Journey to the NHL

By Matthew Rodrigopulle

LAVAL, QC - MARCH 08: Head coach of the Toronto Marlies Sheldon Keefe looks on from behind the bench against the Laval Rocket during the AHL game at Place Bell on March 8, 2019 in Laval, Quebec, Canada. The Toronto Marlies defeated the Laval Rocket 3-0. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
LAVAL, QC - MARCH 08: Head coach of the Toronto Marlies Sheldon Keefe looks on from behind the bench against the Laval Rocket during the AHL game at Place Bell on March 8, 2019 in Laval, Quebec, Canada. The Toronto Marlies defeated the Laval Rocket 3-0. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – NOVEMBER 10: Jonathan Toews #19 of the Chicago Blackhawks scores on goalie Michael Hutchinson #30 of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first period at the United Center on November 10, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images) /

2) He owned a Junior ‘A’ hockey team

After his career ended, Keefe decided to purchase the CCHL’s Pembroke Lumber Kings, a Junior “A” ice hockey team in Pembroke, Ont. and become both their head coach and their general manager. (Sportsnet,ca).

This was his first true start in coaching and the managing part of the job also gave him all the needed experience to properly evaluate players.

Impressively, he led this team to five straight league championships and ultimately the RBC Cup in 2011.

In 2013, he sold the team to former NHL player Dale McTavish.

Going from a failed NHL career to owning a junior team is an unconventional way to break into a career as a coach, but it seems to have worked out well for Keefe.

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