The Toronto Maple Leafs have promoted Patrick O’Sullivan to the position of director of NHL Development, the team announced on Sunday.
O’Sullivan, 41, had served as a development coach with the team since the 2023-24 campaign.
The Toronto native had previously played six seasons in the NHL, last appearing with the Arizona Coyotes during the 2011-12 season.
Drafted 56th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in 2003, O’Sullivan recorded 58 goals and 161 points in 334 career games split between the Kings, Edmonton Oilers, Carolina Hurricanes, Minnesota Wild, and Coyotes.
He last appeared as a player during the 2012-13 season with HIFK in Finland.
The move comes after the newly appointed general manager John Chayka parted ways with a number of long-time staffers, including former assistant GMs Hayley Wickenheiser, Darryl Metcalf, Mark Leach, and senior advisor of player personnel Dave Morrison in July.
Wickenheiser originally joined the team as assistant director of player development in 2018 and was promoted to assistant GM in 2022 with player development as her main responsibility.
“As part of our ongoing evaluation of the organization, we have made the difficult decision to part ways with some valued colleagues. These decisions were not easy and are not a reflection of the commitment of the impacted people. We are sincerely grateful for everything they have contributed to this organization and wish them nothing but the very best in the future,” Chayka said in a statement on July 9.
The Maple Leafs finished in last place in the Atlantic Division last season with a 32-36-14 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-16 campaign.
