  Greg Gilbert had been behind the Marlies bench for three seasons. (Craig Robertson/Toronto Sun/SUN MEDIA) |
Greg Gilbert wasn't surprised that he was let go by the Toronto Marlies. But was Gilbert disappointed that Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke told him yesterday afternoon his contract would not be renewed? Yes.
"I think we did a good job and developed the kids," Gilbert said. "The meeting with Brian was positive and straightforward."
Gilbert, whose resume includes coaching jobs with the Calgary Flames and the Mississauga IceDogs, had been behind the Marlies bench for three seasons. Marlies assistants Joe Paterson and Jim Hughes also were told to look for work elsewhere.
Gilbert was not a Burke hire, and it's expected that the majority of GMs want to pick their own staffs.
"Greg has been a valuable and loyal member of our organization," Burke said in a statement.
"We appreciate the dedication of the Marlies' coaching staff and we wish them well in their future endeavours."
The Marlies were ousted in the first round of the AHL playoffs this spring by the Manitoba Moose, a year after advancing to the third round and losing to the Chicago Wolves. Gilbert compiled a 123-89-28 record with Toronto.
Meanwhile, the Flames announced yesterday that Jim Playfair is the new coach of their AHL club, the Abbottsford Heat.
TERRY.KOSHAN@SUNMEDIA.CA
