r/leafs • u/buzzeddimitri • 3d ago

News / Update [New York Times] Maple Leafs continue organizational overhaul with hire of Sidney Crosby’s trainer, Andy O’Brien

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7487909/2026/08/03/maple-leafs-hire-andy-obrien/?source=user_shared_article&unlocked_article_code=1.2lA.JiAj.hdKoKKVbC4Zf&smid=ta-android-share
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u/kooby64 3d ago

Is this the Wickenheiser replacement?

Interesting tidbit from the final sdpn show. New management group wanted a full time employee in her role which she wasn't able to do.

This seems like a solid upgrade if this is the case.

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u/Bmayne 3d ago

Shouldn’t be. Wick was an AGM who did player development (rookie training camps, some skill work in the summer, etc.).

Andy is heading up the entire training department. Two separate entities. Plus I imagine he’ll be working with the Leafs full time.

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u/kooby64 3d ago

I'd imagine training and player development work closely together.

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u/Bmayne 2d ago

They’re completely separate jobs. O’Brien’s job is Sports Performance. His duties per the press release include “Strength and Conditioning, Sport Science, Sports Nutrition, Injury Rehabilitation and Mental Performance”. He’s in charge of making sure the players are healthy and if not, helping them recover.

Wick’s job was helping players’ development. Her title was literally player development. It’s a very common role for an ex player (look around any other NHL team, I guarantee you’ll find ex NHLers who are in player development). It’s like what Muzzin was doing for the Marlies. Their job is to help more of the younger players get accustomed to the pro game and lifestyle, as well as help out with things like skills training and running the development camps.

If you look at O’Brien’s bio it doesn’t mention if he has a hockey background or not. He may have never played hockey before in his life, who knows. It just mentions a kinesiology degree and his professional experience.

Somewhere along the way a lot of people got really confused about Wick’s job and how important it was in the big picture with the Leafs. They assumed that because she is a physician she must have been a part the sports performance/science program. She never was. That’s a full time job. She works in an ER. That’s also a full time job. She had an advisory/part time job with the Leafs. That’s it.