Per Sportsnet, Maple Leafs assistant GM Kyle Dubas (pictured) has brought in another OHL executive -- Jim Paliafito, who’s been the Saginaw Spirit GM since 2011.
Paliafito, 53, has a pretty colorful background. Prior to getting his start in hockey, he spent several years as a NFL player argent, representing the likes of Hall of Famers Lawrence Taylor, Anthony Munoz and Tony Dorsett.
(For more on Paliafito’s history -- which includes a stint in horse racing -- click here.)
After 20 years as an agent, Paliafito transitioned to junior hockey first as a scout, eventually working his way up through the ranks to the Saginaw job. His addition to the Toronto front office follows in the trend of previous hires out of the Ontario league: Dubas came from the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, and director of player personnel Mark Hunter came from the London Knights.
Updated: Leafs confirm the hire, and with Paliafito’s official title. Also announce the hiring of Lindsay Hofford from -- where else? -- the Ontario Hockey League (London).The #Leafs have named Jim Paliafito Director of Player Evaluation. The team has also hired Lindsay Hofford as an amateur scout. #TMLtalk
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) May 21, 2015