Toronto Maple Leafs create new position to enhance player performance
By Paul Taylor
The Toronto Maple Leafs have hired Dr. Meg Popovic as director of athlete well-being and performance, but how will it impact the team?
Ever since the Toronto Maple Leafs hired the holy trinity of Brendan Shanahan, Lou Lamoriello and Mike Babcock, the franchise has been in the ascendancy. Everything they’ve done, has only improved the team.
Even with Lamoriello now gone, the Leafs continue to trend upwards. As such, who are we to doubt the decisions they make?
With this in mind, Shanahan and company made an intriguing move on Thursday. In fact, it involved creating a new role on the staff.
As per the Leafs’ official media relations account, the team announced the hiring of Dr. Meg Popovic. She will take up the newly created position of director of athlete well-being and performance.
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As noted by the Pension Plan Puppets, Popovic becomes the only woman on the Leafs staff to hold a director title. Understandably, there is a lot of intrigue surrounding her.
As per Popovic’s profile on her website, she is a university professor, professional speaker and certified life coach. For the last 15+ years, she has worked with individuals, teams, and organizations to develop resiliency, leadership and emotional health.
As for hockey specifically, Popovic recently partnered with several professional players to co-create workshops for players, coaches, and parents on mindset, resiliency, and communication. In addition, her brother, Mark Popovic, played in the NHL for the Anaheim Ducks and Atlanta Thrashers.
While there may be speculation surrounding how effective Popovic will be, her qualifications and experience make her one of the best in her field. And as the Leafs continue to look for ways to ascend to the top of the hill in the NHL, trying new approaches can only offer more encouragement.
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In other news, the Leafs also announced the promotion of Mike Dixon, to director of minor league operations. This move comes just one year after he joined the organisation as director of hockey operations and alternate governor.
The promotion is just reward for Dixon, who helped the Marlies capture their first ever Calder Cup. In total, he has 11+ years of experience in the NHL, after previously working for the Florida Panthers.
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What’s your take on the new role created by the Toronto Maple Leafs? How confident are you that the addition of Popovic will help the players? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.