Brendan Shanahan signs six-year extension with Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs are sticking with the “Shanaplan.” The team has announced a six-year extension with president and alternate governor Brendan Shanahan through the 2024-25 season. Larry Tanenbaum, chairman of the Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment board released a statement:

On behalf of the MLSE Board of Directors, and certainly our company and fans as well, we are very pleased to see Brendan continue in his role as President of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Brendan’s positive impact on this team has not only been felt on the ice, where the team is on an impressive path, but throughout the league, with the Leafs alumni, and in the community. We look forward to continued success for the Maple Leafs under Brendan’s leadership over the next six years.

Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic tweets that he had heard rumblings about this earlier in the season but that the team was waiting until the offseason to announce it. Shanahan joined the Maple Leafs in 2014 and was an integral part of bringing in people like head coach Mike Babcock, former general manager Lou Lamoriello and current general manager Kyle Dubas. A native of Mimico, a Toronto suburb, Shanahan told the organization he had no plans of going elsewhere:

When MLSE approached me several months ago to discuss an extension, I told them this would be quite simple as I’ve had no desire to leave what we’ve started here with the Maple Leafs. I’m thankful to the Board of Directors, our coaches, trainers, management and office staff, and especially our players for the professionalism and dedication they display every day.

The Maple Leafs have gone to the playoffs in three straight seasons, and set a franchise record with 105 points in 2017-18. Still, Shanahan and the rest of the organization have their sights set on a far greater prize than regular season success. Toronto has not raised the cup since 1967.