Leafs make a key hiring today

This just in, the Toronto Maple Leafs have hired veteran NHL scout Mark Leach as their Director of Amateur Scouting.

Leach had previously been employed as a scout with the Dallas Stars for the past 11 season and was previously a scout with the Detroit Red Wings for 20 seasons. 

With the Stars Leach is responsible for helping the team draft the likes of Wyatt Johnston, Miro Heiskanen, Jake Oettinger, Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz. In particular, Leach has been given a huge amount of credit for directing the Stars' draft in 2017 where he personally scouted and pushed for the selections of Heiskanen, Oettinger and Robertson.

Read below for the official press release announcement from the Leafs:

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced today that the hockey club has hired Mark Leach as the team’s Director of Amateur Scouting.

Leach joins the Maple Leafs following 11 seasons with the Dallas Stars Amateur Scouting staff. In Dallas, Leach worked directly with the Stars’ Director of Amateur Scouting to oversee the Club’s successful drafting efforts. Leach began his career in the NHL as an Amateur Scout with the Detroit Red Wings where he spent 20 seasons (1994 to 2013). During his time with the Red Wings, Leach helped put together the rosters that would lead the team to Stanley Cups wins in 1997, 1998, 2002 and 2008. In addition to his NHL scouting experience, Leach spent four seasons as an NCAA assistant coach, splitting his time between Michigan Tech (1990-91 to 1992-93) and Boston College (1993-94).

As a player, Leach spent four seasons with St. Lawrence University (NCAA) from 1980-81 to 1983-84 where he recorded 69 points (15 goals, 54 assists) in 127 career NCAA games.

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