Toronto Maple Leafs Hire Derek Lalonde as Assistant Coach
The Toronto Maple Leafs have announced the hiring of Derek Lalonde as an assistant coach, effective June 6, 2025. Lalonde, 52, brings a wealth of experience to the Maple Leafs’ coaching staff, having previously served as the head coach of the Detroit Red Wings and as an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Coaching Career Overview
Lalonde began his coaching career in 1995 as a graduate assistant at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. He then moved on to assistant coaching roles at Lebanon Valley College, Hamilton College, Ferris State University, and the University of Denver.
In 2011, he became the head coach and general manager of the Green Bay Gamblers in the United States Hockey League (USHL), where he compiled a 114–56–8–6 record and was named the USHL Coach of the Year in 2012.
Following his success in the USHL, Lalonde served as head coach of the Toledo Walleye in the ECHL from 2014 to 2016, leading the team to a 97–35–7–5 record and earning the John Brophy Award as the ECHL Coach of the Year in 2015.
He then moved on to the American Hockey League (AHL), where he was head coach of the Iowa Wild from 2016 to 2018. In 2018, Lalonde joined the Tampa Bay Lightning as an assistant coach, contributing to the team’s back-to-back Stanley Cup victories in 2020 and 2021.
In June 2022, Lalonde was named head coach of the Detroit Red Wings. During his tenure, the team posted an 89–86–23 record over three seasons. However, after a 13–17–4 start to the 2024–25 season, Lalonde was dismissed as head coach in December 2024.
Role with the Maple Leafs
In his new role with the Maple Leafs, Lalonde will join head coach Craig Berube’s staff, which also includes associate coach Lane Lambert and assistant coach Mike Van Ryn.
The team aims to build upon its strong performance in the 2024–25 season, where they finished with a 52–26–4 record, topping the Atlantic Division, but were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by the Florida Panthers.
Lalonde’s extensive coaching experience, particularly in developing players and implementing structured systems, is expected to complement the Maple Leafs’ existing coaching staff and contribute to the team’s continued success.
Personal Background
Born in Brasher Falls, New York, Lalonde was a goaltender at SUNY Cortland from 1991 to 1994. He later earned a Master of Arts in education administration from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Lalonde is married to Melissa, a former assistant soccer coach at Hamilton College and Ferris State University. The couple has three children: Alex, Luke, and Abby.
With his proven track record and commitment to player development, Derek Lalonde is poised to make a significant impact on the Toronto Maple Leafs as they strive for excellencein the upcoming season.