Kyle Clifford on 'Giving Back' in His New Role with Leafs
Former LA Kings tough guy Kyle Clifford talks about his new role in player development with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
He may have announced his retirement earlier this month, but former LA Kings forward Kyle Clifford isnt going far.
In fact, hes staying in Toronto, where he played the last four years of his pro career.
To be specific, the 34-year-old will be joining the Toronto Maple Leafs as part of the clubs Player Development staff.
As for what motivated him to dip his toes into the player development ranks, Clifford went back to his days in the Kings system.
I remember going through the process in L.A.
of being a young prospect.
Clifford told me.Working with the [development] staff that [former Kings general manager] Dean Lombardi put there.
So, its nice to be giving back.
Its nice to work with kids that really care about hockey and want to get better.
And to help them excel in their craft, and be part of something great in terms of a championship team.
I think thats what were working towards in Toronto.
Its no secret of the Leafs championship drought.
Owning one of the longest title droughts in North America and the longest in the NHL, the Maple Leafs are often subject to ridicule when the schedule turns to the postseason.
However, Clifford isnt the least bit fazed.
After all, he was integral in helping the LA Kings, a team that went 45 years without a Stanley Cup, to two in three years.
Overall, though, for someone whose played pro hockey for the last 16 years, the former Leaf just wants to work in the game that gave him so much.
I knew I wanted to remain in the game, Clifford said.
Ive got a true passion for the game.
Obviously, to retire after such a long career was hard.
But knowing that Im still at the rink every day and be part of the group and help them better themselves, hopefully I can learn from the young kids, the coaches, and the other development staff.
Specifically, it was Cliffords former teammate in both Los Angeles and Toronto that helped influence his post-playing route.
I know Jake Muzzin was doing player development [with Toronto] for the past year.
So, I had the ability to bounce ideas off him and get his thoughts, added the native of Aye, Ont.
He was scouting before that.
Ultimately, it was just a great fit for me and what Ive been able to do over the last couple of years in the [AHLs Toronto] Marlies organization with a lot of the players.
I truly enjoy being part of the organization and helping them.
While they have been one of the NHLs top teams over the past few seasons, the Toronto Maple Leafs underachieving playoff record has made them a notorious oddity.
That is especially the case in an Atlantic Division that boasts two recent consecutive championship winners in the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers .
Nevertheless, the Leafs current product remains strong.
But with Kyle Cliffords addition to the development staff, the clubs future boasts the same optimism.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder, however, would have been remiss.
He would have been remiss had he not given praise to two of the men responsible for the Kings patient, yet successful, rebuilding process a decade-and-a-half earlier.
I cant say enough good things about Dean Lombardi, he reflected.
In the hockey world, hes probably one of the people I respect the most.
He just gave it to you straight and knew how to push the right buttons.
Mike Futa , another guy I dont get the opportunity without a guy like him to find me [with the OHLs Barrie Colts ].
Just another guy I cant say enough good things about.
Its out with the old and in with the new for Kyle Clifford.
He hopes to take what hes learned as a player into his new career.
However, if his playing career is any indication, Clifford will be just fine.
It will be something that the Toronto Maple Leafs and their ever-loyal fan base will ultimately be forever grateful for.
You can bet on it..
This article has been shared from the original article on yardbarker, here is the link to the original article.