Leafs hire Andy O’Brien to lead sport performance department
The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Monday they hired Andy O’Brien as vice-president of the team’s sports performance department.
According to a press release from the club, “O’Brien will oversee all areas of the Maple Leafs organization pertaining to performance optimization including strength and conditioning, sport science, sports nutrition, injury rehabilitation and mental performance.”
“I’m incredibly honoured to join the Maple Leafs,” O’Brien said in the press release. “From my first discussions with (Leafs general manager John Chayka) and the leadership group, it was clear that this organization is dedicated to industry-leading player care and supporting the individual athlete in every way possible. I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with such an exceptional staff as we serve our players en route to our ultimate goal.”
O’Brien, 48, is the founder and president of O’Brien Sport, and is known within hockey circle’s for being Pittsburgh Penguins’ captain Sidney Crosby’s longtime trainer. He also served as the Penguins’ director of sports science and performance for parts of five seasons, and has also worked with the Florida Panthers as a high-performance consultant. He’s been part of four Stanley Cup-winning teams.
“Providing every resource possible to help our players perform at their best is the highest priority at every level of the organization,” Chayka said in the press release. “Our ownership group has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to investing in player care, the player experience, and the resources required to help our players succeed every day. We will continue to invest in every opportunity to maximize the development and performance of every player.
“Andy’s record as an innovator and winner, coupled with his values, philosophy and vision, are wholly aligned with what we are building here in Toronto,” he added.
O’Brien has an M.S. in kinesiology from A.T. Still University in Kirksville, M.O., as well as a B.A. in psychology from Western University in London, Ont.
