Sheldon Keefe returned to Scotiabank Arena for the first time since his dismissal as head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Now leading the New Jersey Devils with a respectable record of 26-15-5, Keefe appeared in good spirits as he reflected on his time in Toronto and adjusted to his new role. The visit brought back memories, with Keefe joking about the red-painted walls in the visitors’ locker room. “They painted the walls red for me,” he quipped, highlighting the subtle changes in the arena since his departure.
Keefe’s connection to Toronto runs deep, having joined the Maple Leafs organization in 2015 as the head coach of their AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. Now, as head coach of the Devils, he couldn’t help but notice the differences between his old and new surroundings. “I’ve been in the visitors’ room before with the Marlies, but it’s a little different now,” Keefe said. Despite these changes, he found comfort in reconnecting with familiar faces and old friends during his return.
After taking the Devils’ head coaching job last summer, Keefe’s wife Jackie and sons Wyatt and Landon remained in Toronto, a decision made to maintain family stability. “We were fortunate to spend nine years here,” Keefe explained. “My boys are 12 and 14, and they’ve built strong friendships while excelling in competitive hockey and lacrosse. We didn’t want to disrupt that.” Keefe also credited his wife’s strong support system in Toronto as a factor in their choice to stay. This arrangement allows Keefe to frequently visit his family during off days, as Newark offers convenient flight options to and from Toronto.
Reflecting on his tenure with the Maple Leafs, Keefe acknowledged the bittersweet nature of his time with the team. His biggest regret was the lack of playoff success, with the 2023 postseason standing as a rare highlight when the Leafs defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round. However, he expressed no sense of relief in leaving the intense Toronto hockey market after the team’s disappointing first-round exit against the Boston Bruins in 2024. Instead, he described his time in Toronto as overwhelmingly positive. “I loved every second of being the Leafs’ coach,” Keefe said. “I never had a negative experience. I was treated with great respect, and even after my dismissal, people would stop me to express their appreciation. It was an honor to have that responsibility, and I cherished every day.”
Keefe’s first encounter with his former team came earlier this season during the Devils’ home opener. Although the Devils lost 4-2, Keefe recalled the emotional significance of the game and admitted to putting a lot of emphasis on securing a victory. However, for his return to Scotiabank Arena, he chose a more measured approach. “There was a lot on the line for that first game, and it didn’t go well,” he admitted. “This time, we’re focusing on playing for the points.”
Keefe’s return to Toronto also offered him a chance to revisit the routine he followed for years as Maple Leafs head coach. After arriving in the city, he visited his family home in Oakville and experienced the familiar frustrations of commuting on the QEW and Gardiner Expressway. “We got stuck in traffic this morning,” he joked, a nod to the daily grind he left behind but still remembers fondly.
While the decision to keep his family in Toronto highlights his attachment to the city, Keefe expressed gratitude for his time with the Maple Leafs and the enduring relationships he formed. “There’s a lot of privilege that comes with being the Leafs’ coach, and I was fortunate to have that opportunity,” he said. Despite the challenges and ultimate disappointment of his tenure, Keefe’s positive outlook and genuine affection for Toronto remain evident.
As the Devils face the Maple Leafs, Keefe’s focus is on his current team and their goals. While his tenure in Toronto is in the past, it’s clear that his experience with the Leafs continues to shape his perspective as a coach and person.
