Shanahan takes over as Leafs President

In Toronto, we know the role that Brendan Shanahan will be filling with the Maple Leafs. The popular “Shanny” was introduced today as the new president of the club.

Shanahan did not make any playoff guarantees for next season, nor did he give any indication how he hopes to give Leaf fans a team that they can cheer for, and be proud of.

“I’m not going to get specific about the team, but i see unlimited potential,” he said today.

This was the first day at work for the 45-year old Toronto native, who has hoisted the Stanley Cup three times, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame last year.

“This is the time for me to start learning about the organization from top to bottom, to listen, to learn, and get to work.”

Both Tim Leiweke and Dave Nonis swear that Shanahan’s hiring is not a knee-jerk reaction. They claim it had absolutely nothing to do with the devastating collapse the team experienced over the last few weeks, or a lack of trust in the Leafs’ management.

“We started talking about this last summer. It wasn’t to any specific person, a couple of weeks ago Tim came to me and said what do you think about this. And my reaction then is the same as it is today, how can that be a negative thing to the Toronto Maple Leafs?” said Nonis.

Since his retirement as a player back in 2009, Shanahan has held a number of positions with the NHL, including his most recent job as its top disciplinarian. He’s never actually worked for any given team, until now.

“We’re going to give him full authority, everybody on the hockey side and everybody on the business side reports to Brendan Shanahan. He’s the boss,” says Leiweke.