Toronto Maple Leafs: Better the devil you know with John Snowden
By Paul Taylor
The Toronto Maple Leafs have reunited with John Snowden, after naming him as assistant coach for the Newfoundland Growlers.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have made another hiring for their new ECHL affiliate, the Newfoundland Growlers. And this time, it’s a case of better the devil you know.
As reported by the Leafs’ media relations department on Twitter, they have named John Snowden as assistant coach for the Growlers. If he sounds familiar, that’s because this isn’t the first time he’s worked with the organization.
Snowden previously spent three seasons as an assistant and then associate coach for the Orlando Solar Bears, before they mutually agreed to part ways last month. The Solar Bears used to be the ECHL affiliate for the Leafs, before the two teams ended their five-season association following the conclusion of the 2017-18 campaign.
As per the Telgram, the Snohomish, Washington native was a product of the United States National Team Development Program. He went on to play junior hockey in the United States Hockey League.
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Snowden then embarked on a playing career which spanned 11 years. During that time he suited up for 15 different teams in the ECHL and the American, Central and International leagues, while also playing half a season Germany.
Unfortunately for the 36-year-old, he never got his shot at the NHL level. Regardless, he still brings invaluable experience to an expansion franchise looking to hit the ground running — or should that be ice skating — in 2018-19.
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Are you familiar at all with Snowden, from either his playing career or time coaching with the Solar Bears? If so, what’s your take on this latest hiring by the Toronto Maple Leafs? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.