The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today Ryane Clowe has been named Head Coach of the club’s ECHL affiliate, the Newfoundland Growlers.

The Fermeuse, Newfoundland native has spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach with the National Hockey League’s New Jersey Devils. In his new position, Clowe will work closely with the Maple Leafs development staff and receive personnel support from the Maple Leafs hockey operations staff as the Growlers open their inaugural season in October of 2018. He is slated to attend the Maple Leafs development camp next week as well as training camp with the Maple Leafs and Marlies in September.

“We are thrilled to add Ryane to our organization as the first coach of the Newfoundland Growlers,” said Maple Leafs General Manager Kyle Dubas. “We are thankful to Ray Shero and the Devils for allowing Ryane to join us. Ryane brings two years of working on John Hynes’ staff in New Jersey in combination with his deep roots in Newfoundland to the position. His experience and connection with the area, along with the potential he has shown in coaching, make Ryane the best fit for our program.”

As a player, Clowe registered 309 points (112 goals, 197 assists) in 491 NHL regular season games and 46 points (18 goals, 28 assists) in 70 playoff games with the San Jose Sharks, New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils. After four seasons in the QMJHL, he was selected in the sixth round (175th overall) by the Sharks in the 2001 NHL Draft. Clowe also spent three seasons with the AHL’s Cleveland Barons. Clowe was recently inducted into the Newfoundland and Labrador Hockey Hall of Fame.

“I’d personally like to thank Ray Shero, John Hynes and the New Jersey Devils organization for giving me the chance to begin my coaching career,” said Clowe. “I’m grateful to the Maple Leafs for providing me with this unique opportunity and excited to return home as the first head coach of the Growlers.”

Ryane, 35, and his wife, Jennifer, have two children, a daughter and a son.

*Press Release Courtesy of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Newfoundland Growlers