Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment announced Friday that Hockey Hall of Fame member Brendan Shanahan has been appointed to the position of President and Alternate Governor of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 45-year old native of Mimico, Ontario will begin his new role immediately and will be made available to media on Monday morning. The team will reserve comment until that time.

Shanahan joins the Maple Leafs to oversee all team operations for the 97-year old franchise after a 27-year NHL career as both a player and league executive. During his distinguished career, he earned three Stanley Cup Championships with the Detroit Red Wings as well as gold medals with Team Canada at the 1994 World Championships, the 2002 Winter Olympics and the 1991 Canada Cup. Shanahan was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on July 9, 2013.

Drafted second overall in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils, Shanahan also suited up for the St. Louis Blues, Hartford Whalers, Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers. An eight-time NHL All Star, and winner of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2003, Shanahan joined the NHL's head office in December, 2009 as Vice President of Hockey and Business Development. He would later serve as the league's chief player disciplinarian for three seasons.

Throughout his career, Shanahan established himself as an important voice for the game of hockey, not only for his on- ice credentials, but for his leadership qualities off the ice. During the 2004-05 NHL lockout season, Shanahan convened a group of influencers in the game to discuss the direction of the on-ice product which led to several recommendations to the League and Players Association including the formation of an official Competition Committee.