"After spending time with Dean, it became clear that his knowledge, passion and personality would make him the right fit," said Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe. "We're fortunate to add someone of his quality and experience to our staff."
"As someone who grew up in western Canada and watched the Maple Leafs on Hockey Night in Canada every weekend, I'm thrilled to join the team's coaching staff," said Chynoweth. "I'm very excited for the opportunity to work alongside Sheldon, the rest of the staff and the talented group of players in Toronto."
Chynoweth (pronounced SHIN-owth) spent the previous three seasons as an assistant coach with the Carolina Hurricanes. Prior to joining Carolina, the Calgary, Alberta native served nine seasons as a head coach in the Western Hockey League, moving from the Seattle Thunderbirds (2000-04) to the Swift Current Broncos (2004-09) before spending three seasons in the NHL as an assistant coach with the New York Islanders (2009-12). Following his stint with the Islanders, Chynoweth spent four seasons as a head coach in the American Hockey League with the Cleveland Monsters and San Antonio Rampage (2012-16). Chynoweth has also been a part of the Hockey Canada Program of Excellence, serving as the head coach of Canada's Under-18 National Team and assistant coach of Canada's Under-20 World Junior Team (2003-04).
As a player, Chynoweth played 10 seasons in the NHL between the New York Islanders and Boston Bruins after being drafted in the first round (13th overall) in the 1987 NHL Draft. In 241 NHL games, Chynoweth registered 22 points (four goals, 18 assists) and 667 penalty minutes. He also won a Calder Cup championship in 1990 with Springfield (AHL) and won back-to-back Memorial Cups in 1987 and 1988 with Medicine Hat (WHL).
