TORONTO – Sheldon Keefe officiated over 150 regular season games at Scotiabank Arena when he was with the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2019 to 2024. So he knows the route to the arena a little too well, and even the traffic that comes with it.
“I got stuck in traffic on the [Queen Elizabeth Way] coming here this morning, so it was all very familiar to me, but obviously it’s going to be a little different being on the other bench tonight,” Keefe said. When the puck drops, we’re going to play hockey, and I felt the same way when we played them in New Jersey. »
The New Jersey Devils coach spent the night at his home in Oakville, about a 40-minute drive west of Toronto. This stint in the Queen City allowed him to spend time with his wife and their two sons, who remained in Toronto while Keefe moved to New Jersey. Keefe didn’t want to disrupt the life the family has built in Toronto since 2015, when he began managing the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League.
“We were lucky to spend nine years here,” Keefe added. My sons are 12 and 14 years old, and they have created great friendships here. They play hockey and lacrosse, and we didn’t want to disrupt that. My wife is very comfortable with all of this. She has many good friends and support around her. We knew that if I went anywhere, the family was likely to stay behind. That’s why New Jersey was so appealing, because it’s so accessible. I have spent so many days off here in Toronto visiting family. The distance from my family is easier to live with than I thought. »
The trip to Toronto was timely for Keefe on a family level, but it will also be his first visit to Scotiabank Arena with the Devils, who face the Maple Leafs on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; TSN4, MSGSN2). Keefe was fired by the Maple Leafs on May 9 and hired by the Devils two weeks later on May 23.
“I took the usual route to get here,” Keefe said. I still entered through the Raptors entrance, but I turned off a little faster this time (because the visitors’ locker room is closer than the Maple Leafs’). I’ve been in the visitors’ locker room before with the Marlies, but this is a little different. They painted the hallways, and the dressing rooms are a little different, but it was nice to say hello to everyone and see faces I know again. »
During his time with the Maple Leafs, Keefe had a record of 212-97-40 in 349 games, but he won only one playoff round. It was 2023, when the Maple Leafs eliminated the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games in the first round. While Keefe loved every day at the helm of the Maple Leafs, he agrees that the playoff setbacks stick with him.
“I am grateful for the opportunity I got here and I will always be disappointed that we were not able to deliver the goods and have more success in the playoffs, which pushed the team to make changes,” assured Keefe. And I think the changes have been good.
“I loved every second of my time behind the Leafs bench, so I wouldn’t say I was relieved (when I was fired). […] I have never had a single negative experience. People treated me with great respect. Here, during the summer, people came to thank me for my years in Toronto. There are a lot of responsibilities that come with the job, but also a great privilege. I loved every day behind the Leafs bench. »
Keefe has already faced the Maple Leafs twice this season in New Jersey, losing twice (4-2 on October 10; 2-1 in overtime on December 10). He said this visit will allow him to close the Toronto chapter for good. As for the added motivation of returning, Keefe admitted it will be different standing behind the other bench, but he’s doing his best to keep emotions to a minimum.
“It’s different,” Keefe admitted. Honestly, there’s not a lot of emotion right now. It will be different tonight. But I don’t want it to get too big. In the end, it’s just a hockey game, and the players on the ice will determine the outcome. I’m going to enjoy this match for what it is, but then we’ll move on. »
Toronto defenseman Jake McCabe, who played under Keefe for two seasons from 2022 to 2024, enjoyed working with him and is confident he will receive a warm reception from the crowd.
“I don’t think the reception will be hostile,” McCabe said. He has led several good teams here. He didn’t go all the way in the playoffs, but there are no hard feelings.
“I’ve had several coaches in this league over the years, and Keefe has broadened my horizons, at least offensively and how to control the middle of the ice to wreak havoc on the opposing team. . He prepared well for the matches. »
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