It was 1991 and the Toronto Maple Leafs had just moved their minor-league squad to St. John’s, Newfoundland.
The team needed coaches, and Marc Crawford would get the head coach’s job. As for the assistant coach, Cliff Fletcher, Maple Leafs’ general manager at the time, had something specific in mind.
“We were looking for someone who would basically start off as coaching but at the same time end his playing career, where he could help the younger players, particularly the younger defensemen develop,” Fletcher recalled. “More importantly, he would have his introductory session into the coaching field.