"Over nearly two decades as an NHL coach, Paul has filled every role on a coaching staff, winning a Stanley Cup and Jack Adams trophy along the way," said Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe. "Adding someone of Paul's expertise and character to advise and assist our staff is something that we felt was very important as we seek to make tangible steps next season."
MacLean spent the 2019-20 season as an assistant coach with the Columbus Blue Jackets after being hired on November 21, 2019. He previously served as the head coach of the Ottawa Senators from 2011-15, leading the Senators to a 114-90-35 record and a pair of playoff appearances. He won the Jack Adams Award while coaching Ottawa in 2012-13 after being a finalist for the honour in 2011-12. MacLean served two stints as an assistant coach for the Anaheim Ducks spanning 2002-04 and 2015-17 and was an assistant coach for the Detroit Red Wings from 2005-11. He has been an assistant coach in the postseason on 11 occasions and has made three appearances in the Stanley Cup finals (2003, 2008, 2009), winning the Stanley Cup in 2008.
Born in Grostenquin, France and raised in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, MacLean skated in 719 career NHL games for the St. Louis Blues, Winnipeg Jets and Detroit Red Wings, recording 324 goals and 349 assists. In 11 career NHL seasons, he had three 40-goal and five 30-goal campaigns. He had a career-high 101 points (41 goals, 60 assists) in 1984-85, representing Winnipeg in the 1985 All-Star Game. In 53 career Stanley Cup playoff games, MacLean registered 21 goals and 14 assists.
Internationally, MacLean was a member of Canada's national men's hockey team during the 1979-80 season, skating in 50 games (21 goals, 11 assists). He also represented Canada at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, recording two goals and three assists in six games.
