Mike Van Ryn Back in NHL with Toronto Maple Leafs

Former Florida Panthers defenseman Mike Van Ryn was not out of work long as he was named an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday.

Van Ryn, 44, was let go after five seasons as an assistant with the St. Louis Blues in April.

Toronto coach Sheldon Keefe added Guy Boucher and Van Ryn to what now is a five-man coaching staff.

The Maple Leafs lost to the Panthers in the second round of the playoffs.

“It’s as complete a staff as we’ve had in my time,” Keefe said per Sportsnet. “I’m even more excited to dig in and get to work even further on preparing our team for camp and getting to know the individuals even that much more.”

Van Ryn, who won the Stanley Cup with St. Louis in 2019, played in 353 NHL games over eight NHL seasons with the Blues, Panthers and Maple Leafs.

He spent four seasons with the Panthers from 2003-08, leaving when Florida traded him to Toronto as part of a deal for Bryan McCabe.