Toronto Maple Leafs hire Wes Clark, promote Troy Bodie and Dave Morrison

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced promotions for Dave Morrison and Troy Bodie on Thursday, whilst simultaneously announcing the re-hiring of Wes Clark.

Troy Bodie, who has spent the past three seasons working for the Toronto Maple Leafs as a pro scout, has been promoted to be the team’s Director of Pro Scouting.

He will now oversee the scouting of professionals across the world and will work with the scouts already in the Maple Leafs organisation.

Bodie, 33, ended his playing career at the conclusion of the 2014-15 season, after he spent the final two years playing for the Maple Leafs and Toronto Marlies in the AHL.

The Portage La Prairie, Manitoba native spent most of his professional playing career in the AHL, but was able to make 159 regular season appearances in the NHL for the Leafs, Anaheim Ducks and Carolina Hurricanes.

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Dave Morrison, who has been a part of the Leafs organisation since 2004, has been promoted to Director of Player Personnel.

He joined the Leafs as an amateur scout from the Vancouver Canucks and was promoted to Director of Amateur Scouting in 2006, before being promoted again to Director of Pro Scouting in 2015.

However, the arrival of Wes Clark as Morrison’s Assistant Director of Player Personnel will be the biggest news for fans.

Clark, who has previously worked with the Leafs as a scout and team consultant before spending the past two seasons with the Florida Panthers, is a known friend and advisor to pending free agent John Tavares.

The Leafs are actively chasing Tavares and hope that he will sign with them, when he becomes a free agent on July 1.

The hiring of Clark, which has been rumoured to be in the works for a while, could be seen as a move to help influence Tavares’ decision.

Clark joining the Leafs might not be enough to persuade Tavares to leave the New York Islanders after nine years, but it has certainly given fans some extra hope.

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Toronto Maple Leafs fans, what do you think about the team’s promotions/appointment? Does Clark’s hiring help their case with Tavares? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!