Leafs, McFarland to part ways at season's end

The Kingston Frontenacs will have a familiar face behind the bench to kick off the 2020-21 OHL season as Maple Leafs assistant coach Paul McFarland has announced his plans to return as the head coach in Kingston at the conclusion of this NHL season.

As he had expressed his desire to further his coaching career at the head coaching position, McFarland was granted permission from the Maple Leafs to interview for the head coaching position in Kingston, where he had spent 3 seasons from 2014-2017 as the bench boss for the Frontenacs prior to spending a pair of seasons as an assistant with the Florida Panthers. Following his time in Sunrise, Florida, McFarland was brought in to flank Mike Babcock in Toronto in May 2019.

McFarland did issue a statement wherein he commeted that he remains committed to the Maple Leafs organization for the remainder of the 2019-20 season, despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and looks forward to resuming play and helping guide the Buds to the playoffs.

"I want to thank Kyle, Sheldon, and the entire Maple Leafs organization for their professionalism and support through this process, as well as the opportunity and experience offered to me as part of the hockey club this past season. Ultimately, I made this decision for my own development as a head coach and I am honoured and excited about the opportunity to help develop an exciting group of young players in Kingston. I still remain 100 percent committed to the Maple Leafs organization, its staff and the players for the remainder of the 2019-20 NHL season and Stanley Cup playoffs."<\i>

Leafs bench boss Sheldon Keefe had some kind words for McFarland, regarding his impending departure from the organization.

"Paul has been a great member of our staff and I look forward to continuing our work together through to the conclusion of the 2019-20 season," said Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe. "Normally this type of move would be done during the off-season, but given that these are far from normal circumstances, we are in full support of Paul's desire to pursue this position in Kingston and gain more experience as a head coach."

Though the season is still on pause with no date in sight for a return to action, everyone remains hopeful that the league can resume play at some point in 2020.

MUST READ

44 minutes ago  |  By Skyler Walker Buffalo Sabres hint at massive goaltending move for Game 7

1 hour ago  |  By Skyler Walker Martin St. Louis makes a surprising call before the game, and fans are divided

2 hours ago  |  By Skyler Walker NHL delivers its verdict on Bowen Byram after Game 6 incident with Joe Veleno

3 hours ago  |  By Skyler Walker Elliotte Friedman just confirmed Craig Berube's next move in the NHL

3 hours ago  |  By Skyler Walker Bad news strikes the Canadiens just before their final game against Buffalo

5 hours ago  |  By Skyler Walker NHL's harsh Golden Knights punishment looks different after Elliotte Friedman's new details

5 hours ago  |  By Skyler Walker Evander Kane reveals the NHL city he hated playing in most

6 hours ago  |  By Skyler Walker Connor McDavid to the Canadiens? A major statement just confirmed everything Montreal's hoped for

MORE STORIES

Previously

Capitals have placed Brendan Leipsic on unconditional waivers

Alexander Romanov finally signs entry-level deal with Habs

Mikhail Sergachev says he&8217;s confident he&8217;ll re-sign with Tampa Bay