Toronto Maple Leafs organization announces that Steve Sullivan is named head coach of the Toronto Marlies, the NHL club’s American Hockey League affiliate. The appointment is made as part of a staff shakeup involving other coaching roles within the organization. Sullivan, 52, steps into the head coaching position after previously serving as an assistant coach with the Marlies. In that role, he worked directly under John Gruden, who is promoted by the Maple Leafs to an assistant coach position on Jim Hiller’s staff for the next season. The Marlies also introduce Giordano as an assistant coach as Sullivan takes over the head coaching job. Sources describe Sullivan as replacing Gruden to lead the Marlies, who are referenced as having recently won the AHL title. With the change, Sullivan becomes the ninth head coach in the franchise’s history. The organization’s announcement takes effect immediately or for the upcoming season, with Sullivan’s prior experience within the Marlies’ coaching staff cited as preparation for the new role.