Former Leafs President Brendan Shanahan lands interesting new job

Some news on the executive front on Saturday as Hockey Canada has officially announced that former Stanley Cup winner, international gold medalist, and ex-Leafs exec Brendan Shanahan will be joining their organization, as he was hired to lead a review of men's junior hockey in Ontario.

Hockey Canada's initiative is "to strengthen and further evolve junior hockey across the province" and Shanahan's role will include a variety of things, including recommendations to Hockey Eastern Ontario, Hockey Northwestern Ontario, Ontario Hockey Federation, and Hockey Canada to develop the programs in the province.

Shanahan will be tasked to report to a 6-person committee and to undertake two public documents that will centre around further developing the program with skills and character traits needed to succeeded. To do so, he will need to prioritize the players in junior hockey in Ontario, embed Hockey Canada's core values into what he's recommending, maintain transparency, and collaborate with players, stakeholders, and Hockey Canada.

As a player, Shanahan won gold at the 2002 Winter Olympics, 1994 World Championships, and 1991 Canada Cup. Adding in his Stanley Cup championships with the Detroit Red Wings, Shanahan is also a part of the illustrious IIHF Triple Gold Club, as well as an inductee into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The Mimico, Ontario native was a decorated NHLer, who achieved just about everything a player could realize on the ice. He tried to mimic that success as the president and alternate governor of the Toronto Maple Leafs, but after nearly a decade in charge, he was let go due to lack of playoff success.

He had been rumoured to have had some interest in a front office position with the New York Islanders shortly after his dismissal, but looked to focus his attention elsewhere, and has now landed a nice position with Hockey Canada in a developmental position to help the province of Ontario.