Why Jim Hiller is not intimidated by the Toronto hockey media mob

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Published Jun 17, 2026  •  2 minute read

Former Maple Leafs assistant coach Jim Hiller (left), seen here chatting with Connor Brown in December 2018, has been hired by the team as their next head coach. Photo by Ernest Doroszuk / Files /Toronto Sun

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When Jim Hiller put the phone down after his first chat with John Chayka about the Toronto head coaching job, wife Kathy had a natural reaction. 

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“She said ‘oh no, the media’,” Hiller laughed on Wednesday in his first Zoom call with Toronto reporters. “But I told her ‘I’ve been there, I  know those people they’re really nice people.” 

Hiller is ready for the extra attention, whether from newspapers, radio, television or the 21st century evolution that includes his own team’s social media feeds and NHL in-house coverage. 

He got a taste of those daily duties as Mike Babcock’s assistant with the Leafs starting 10 years ago.  

“I didn’t talk to the media every day, but I paid attention, I watched and learned,” Hiller said. “It can be three cameras, it can be 15, but you have to answer the same questions.” 

Paid attention during his time with Maple Leafs

We get the impression Hiller won ‘t be as brusque as his former boss, especially on game days. Babcock was in the habit of a daily jog up, down and around Scotiabank Arena, then going right to the podium, grousing through a couple of questions and terminating the session in just two or three minutes. 

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Hiller seems more in the mode of chatty Sheldon Keefe, though he has been a head coach in the major media market of Los Angeles and a few other stops, so this gig shouldn’t be over-whelming. 

The 57-year-old spoke warmly of watching the Leafs, Canadiens and we’ll assume the expansion 1970s’ Vancouver Canucks, on Saturday night with his family in Port Alberni, B.C. 

Hiller witnessed Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Mitch Marner thrive in their early years in th spotlight and starting a week Friday he’ll be mentoring the first overall pick, likely Gavin McKenna. 

“I was  at arm’s length, but really excited when the Leafs won (the draft lottery with an 8.5 per cent chance),” Hiller said. “I think with Auston it was 25 per cent or less. It made me re-live that.  

“This is extremely exciting for us, as it’s hard to get the generational talent. I look at Auston as a shining example and he’ll be there to support whoever is picked.” 

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