Two-Time Stanley Cup Winner Kyle Clifford Joins Maple Leafs In Player Development Role After Retiring

Former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Kyle Clifford is calling it a career.

Clifford confirmed to The Hockey News Toronto on Thursday morning that he retiring after a 15-year professional career and joining the Maple Leafs in a player development role. John Hoven, better known online as The Mayor, was first to report Clifford's retirement on Wednesday evening.

The 34-year-old had spent five seasons with Toronto, split between their NHL and AHL squads. "I’m very excited about the next chapter with Toronto in player development," said Clifford.

Before joining the Maple Leafs as a player, Clifford won two Stanley Cups with the L.A. Kings, playing an integral role in the club’s 2014 win. The crash and bash forward scored one goal and six assists in 24 playoff games during those playoffs.

Clifford, who hails from Ayr, Ontario, along with goaltender Jack Campbell, were acquired by the Maple Leafs in a trade with the Kings in February 2020 for Trevor Moore, a 2020 third-round pick, and a 2021 third-round selection.

After just one year with Toronto, Clifford signed a two-year, $2 million contract with the St. Louis Blues. He played just one season with the Blues before being traded back to the Maple Leafs for future considerations in November 2021.

Clifford appeared in 23 games with the Maple Leafs in 2021-22, plus nine games with the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies. That would be Clifford’s second-last season playing in the NHL games, with his final two appearances coming in October of 2022.

The veteran forward signed a two-year, $1.53 million extension with Toronto in March 2022, though the remainder of his games were played with the Marlies. Over three years with the AHL club, which included him signing a one-year contract with the team last summer, Clifford scored 22 goals and 34 assists in 116 games.

Not only did Clifford play in the Marlies’ top-six throughout his tenure, but he was also a key leader within the club, helping usher in the next group of Maple Leafs prospects. “Cliffy was my first linemate in the NHL, and he’s become one of my best friends,” former Maple Leafs prospect Alex Steeves, now with the Boston Bruins organization, said.

“He’s someone I think any guy should talk to who has aspirations of playing in the NHL. To play as long as he did as a fourth liner is really tough. He’s helped me out a lot and I know he advocates for me as well. And he’s a good friend.”

Clifford was most recently spotted working with the Maple Leafs’ prospects at the club’s development camp in early July. He was on the ice with the players, and in some cases, skating side-by-side with former Kings and Maple Leafs teammate, Jake Muzzin, who’s also a part of Toronto’s development staff.

Clifford’s storied career concludes with the forward tallying 66 goals and 78 assists in 735 regular season games, plus four goals and 12 assists in 65 playoff games, split between the Kings, Blues, and Maple Leafs.