TORONTO, Canada- The Toronto Maple Leafs announced former Sacred Heart University men's ice hockey assistant coach and '10 alumnus Ryan Hardy is joining the organization as Senior Director of Minor League Operations. In his role, he will serve as General Manager of the club's American Hockey League affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, as well as its East Coast Hockey League affiliate, the Newfoundland Growlers.
 
"The Toronto Maple Leafs have a tremendously rich history as one of the original six teams in the NHL" Hardy stated. "I very much want to help maximize all of the departments that I am tasked with overseeing and interfacing with."
 
Hardy served as an volunteer assistant coach at SHU during the 2011-12 season. He assisted in creating practice plans on a day to day basis, worked with players individually on skill development, and assess areas of the team game that he thought was needed.  
 
"I have known Ryan a long time and nothing surprises me in terms of him winning and creating a fun environment that promotes growth and learning" SHU Men's Ice Hockey head coach CJ Marottolo stated. "He has had great success coaching youth hockey, high school and college. He then displayed a keen eye on the evaluation side and just recently had terrific success is building and putting together a team."
 
He will oversee hockey operations for the Marlies and Growlers, including roster decisions and staffing. Hardy will also work in unison with the player development department to track drafted prospects and participate in player personnel and scouting initiatives as needed.
 
Marottolo added, "I have no doubt Ryan will have success with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization. He has paid his dues along the way and everyone here at Sacred Heart University is proud of his accomplishments and we will be following him as he continues to rise in the hockey world."
 
Hardy, 35, had served as General Manager of the United States Hockey League's Chicago Steel since the start of their 2018-19 season. Hardy was named the USHL's General Manager of the Year in two of his three seasons, 2018-2019 and 2020-21. In the 2019-20 season, the Steel set the USHL record for highest winning percentage (.847) before the season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
 
Since his first season with the Steel, the Madison, Conn. native has overseen 10 Steel alumni selected in the NHL Draft, including five from the 2019-20 roster, the most of any independent junior team that season.
 
"I learned a tremendous amount in my time on that staff, both from Shaun Hannah and CJ Marottolo," Hardy added. "More than anything, I learned that no task was too menial and that nothing was given, everything earned.  I also learned that if you could connect with players, you can have a tremendous impact on them."
 
Hardy joined the Steel from the Boston Bruins where he spent two seasons as an amateur scout. Prior to joining the Bruins, Hardy spent parts of four seasons (2013-2017) with USA Hockey's National Team Development Program, serving as Director of Player Personnel, Assistant Director of Player Personnel and Regional Scouting Manager during that time.
 
"I could go on for a long time about everything I experienced and learned at SHU. It was truly a great experience that definitely set the foundation for what my career has evolved into."