Prior to Berube being named as the new head coach in Toronto, the Maple Leafs went through a series of interviews, including with the likes of Gerard Gallant and Todd McLellan, two veteran head coaching with varying levels of success at the highest level.
Initially, it seemed as though the Leafs had a very narrow focus, interviewing just a handful of candidates, but during Tuesday's introductory press conference for Berube, Leafs GM Brad Treliving revealed there were a lot more candidates interviewed than the public was aware of. In fact, Treliving revealed that the Leafs interviewed 9 candidates.
Treliving confirmed that a lot went into the decision to hire Berube, but ultimately, it was his character that set him apart from everyone else.
With Gallant and McLellan being two of the other known candidates for have interviewed for the gig, Treliving did not divulge information on who the other six candidates for the Leafs' coaching job were. Ex-Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft was rumoured to have been in the mix, but we still don't have any confirmation on that.
Obviously, Berube comes to Toronto with a very strong reputation around the league. Not only among his peers, but among his former players as well. Most importantly, he knows how to win. Let's hope he can do it in Toronto.
