After months of silence following his firing in May, former Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan finally opened up about his time with the team — and his words struck a chord with fans. Speaking in the fourth episode of “Faceoff: Inside the NHL” on Amazon Prime Video , Shanahan shared honest reflections on his tenure, his love for the franchise, and why he believes the foundation he built still holds promise.
Brendan Shanahan on rebuilding the Maple Leafs and lessons learned
When Brendan Shanahan joined the Maple Leafs in 2014, he arrived with two clear goals: “I wanted to rebuild the Toronto Maple Leafs organization, on and off the ice, and I wanted to win a Stanley Cup.” Over his 11-year tenure, he achieved the first part of that mission — transforming the Leafs into one of the NHL ’s most respected and well-resourced franchises.
While the Stanley Cup continued to elude Toronto, Shanahan’s leadership reshaped the organization from the ground up. He expanded player development programs, invested in cutting-edge facilities, and modernized how the team operated behind the scenes. “I’m disappointed that I wasn’t able to finish the job, but I think we’ve rebuilt the Toronto Maple Leafs,” he admitted.
His steady approach, often criticized by fans impatient for change, was guided by a belief in player growth over quick fixes. “I’ve just seen too many players that got quit on too early and they go and they win their Stanley Cups for other organizations,” Shanahan said, explaining his resistance to breaking up the team’s “Core Four.” That patience — sometimes labeled stubbornness — defined what became known as the Shanaplan, a long-term blueprint to build a contender without sacrificing stability.
A legacy rooted in loyalty, pressure, and gratitude
Brendan Shanahan’s story with the Maple Leafs is deeply personal. A lifelong fan from Mimico, he grew up idolizing the team he would one day lead. His 21-year playing career and eventual Hall of Fame induction prepared him for the pressure that comes with running Canada’s most scrutinized hockey franchise — but not the emotional weight of leaving it behind.
“When your season ends and you’re not the winner, you’re devastated,” Shanahan said. Yet, there was no bitterness in his farewell. “Unfortunately, I won’t be around to see it finished, but it would give me a lot of joy to see them finish it… I leave here now with nothing but gratitude.”
His calm tone and reflective words underscored a man at peace with his journey — one who helped restore pride to a team he once cheered for as a boy. As Toronto moves forward under new leadership, Shanahan remains a quiet believer, confident that the team he rebuilt still has the pieces to reach the mountaintop.
Also Read: Sidney Crosby’s secret to staying a top NHL star even at 38 finally explained
Brendan Shanahan on rebuilding the Maple Leafs and lessons learned
When Brendan Shanahan joined the Maple Leafs in 2014, he arrived with two clear goals: “I wanted to rebuild the Toronto Maple Leafs organization, on and off the ice, and I wanted to win a Stanley Cup.” Over his 11-year tenure, he achieved the first part of that mission — transforming the Leafs into one of the NHL ’s most respected and well-resourced franchises.
Statement from Brendan Shanahan following the end of his 11-year run in Toronto. pic.twitter.com/L3UuJohznF
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) May 22, 2025
While the Stanley Cup continued to elude Toronto, Shanahan’s leadership reshaped the organization from the ground up. He expanded player development programs, invested in cutting-edge facilities, and modernized how the team operated behind the scenes. “I’m disappointed that I wasn’t able to finish the job, but I think we’ve rebuilt the Toronto Maple Leafs,” he admitted.
His steady approach, often criticized by fans impatient for change, was guided by a belief in player growth over quick fixes. “I’ve just seen too many players that got quit on too early and they go and they win their Stanley Cups for other organizations,” Shanahan said, explaining his resistance to breaking up the team’s “Core Four.” That patience — sometimes labeled stubbornness — defined what became known as the Shanaplan, a long-term blueprint to build a contender without sacrificing stability.
A legacy rooted in loyalty, pressure, and gratitude
Brendan Shanahan’s story with the Maple Leafs is deeply personal. A lifelong fan from Mimico, he grew up idolizing the team he would one day lead. His 21-year playing career and eventual Hall of Fame induction prepared him for the pressure that comes with running Canada’s most scrutinized hockey franchise — but not the emotional weight of leaving it behind.
“When your season ends and you’re not the winner, you’re devastated,” Shanahan said. Yet, there was no bitterness in his farewell. “Unfortunately, I won’t be around to see it finished, but it would give me a lot of joy to see them finish it… I leave here now with nothing but gratitude.”
His calm tone and reflective words underscored a man at peace with his journey — one who helped restore pride to a team he once cheered for as a boy. As Toronto moves forward under new leadership, Shanahan remains a quiet believer, confident that the team he rebuilt still has the pieces to reach the mountaintop.
Also Read: Sidney Crosby’s secret to staying a top NHL star even at 38 finally explained
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