Sheldon Keefe Prepares for Emotional Return Against Former Team

SHELDON KEEFE SET TO FACE FORMER TEAM: NEW JERSEY DEVILS VS. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

NEWARK, N.J. — Sheldon Keefe, the head coach of the New Jersey Devils, is preparing for an emotional encounter. On Thursday, he will face his previous team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, for the first time at Prudential Center. Having led the Maple Leafs to five consecutive Stanley Cup Playoffs before his dismissal in May, Keefe knows the upcoming match will be significant on multiple levels. The match is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on MSG and TSN4.

Keefe, who took over the coaching reins from Mike Babcock in November 2019, was relieved from his duties on May 9. His tenure saw the Maple Leafs boast a regular season record of 212-97-40, although their postseason efforts were less successful, with a playoff record of 16-21 and only one second-round entry in 2023. Before his NHL coaching career, Keefe was at the helm of the Maple Leafs’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, where he found success, culminating in a Calder Cup championship in 2018.

“I don’t know if it will be an emotional night because I’ve never coached against a team that I’ve been associated with in the past,” Keefe remarked. “I’m focused on competing against one of the league’s top teams.” Keefe was appointed as the Devils’ coach on May 23.

Reflecting on his time in Toronto, Keefe shared, “It was a tremendous honor to coach in Toronto, especially since I grew up in Brampton, Ontario. Coaching the Maple Leafs was an opportunity I never anticipated. I felt prepared but learned a great deal, which has made me a better coach coming to New Jersey.”

The Devils have started strong, boasting two victories in the 2024 NHL Global Series against the Buffalo Sabres. “We want to win regardless, but having Sheldon as our coach adds emotion to the game,” a Devils forward stated. “He’s been great to us, and we know how much he wants to win.”

Moreover, Devils defenseman John Kovacevic, recently acquired from the Montreal Canadiens, empathized with Keefe’s situation. “He’ll probably downplay it, but I know it’s going to be an emotional night,” Kovacevic noted. “You only have 25 friends when the puck is dropped.”

Another defenseman, signed as a free agent, expressed similar sentiments. “There’s a little bit of nerves,” he said. “Many in Toronto have had their careers impacted by Sheldon. It’s probably one he’s circled on the calendar.”

The game is expected to mark a thrilling chapter for both Keefe and the New Jersey Devils as they seek to extend their winning streak and make a statement against a formidable opponent. The Maple Leafs have undergone several changes this summer, and expectations remain high for their performance.