New Jersey Devils coach Sheldon Keefe admitted that he is looking forward to his first game back at Scotiabank Arena since the Toronto Maple Leafs relieved him of his duties over the summer.
While this will not be his first game against the Leafs this season, as both previous encounters were in New Jersey, this contest carries extra weight because Keefe spent nearly a decade with the organization, both in the AHL and NHL. Getting the opportunity to reconnect with friends and family, as well as people on the Leafs, will undoubtedly make things emotional for him.
<a href="https://youtu.be/4sgXxJlY1nA?si=wptL1idYrNruVPzv&amp;t=424" target="_blank" rel="noopener">When speaking with reporters in New Jersey after practice on Wednesday</a>, Keefe said he is not going to play down the significance of the moment and enjoy the night regardless of the result.
<blockquote>“I’m excited for it. I spent nine years there. There’s the Leafs time, but the Marlies time was equally special to me. Was fortunate to essentially raise my family there, and in fact they are still living there. So it’s great to get back there, will be able to have lots of friends and family in the building. Also, just to see the faces around the arena. I&#8217;ve been able to connect in the two games that we&#8217;ve played the Leafs here in Jersey with lots of the travelling party in that I&#8217;m used to seeing. There is a lot of people throughout the organization and through the building that you are used to seeing and are such a big part of your career that it’s a chance to reconnect with them and see them. It’s going to be a little funny walking to the visiting side, but I fully expect that once the puck drops, it’s going to be hockey and you’re going to do your thing that way. But all of the other stuff outside of it, it&#8217;s different and unique and I&#8217;m looking forward to it. I&#8217;ll try my best to enjoy it.”</blockquote>
Across his nine-year stint in the Leafs organization, Keefe did a lot of winning during the regular season for both the AHL and NHL squads. The Marlies were among the top teams in the league and each of his playoff appearances finished no worse than the second round, including capturing the 2018 Calder Cup. Keefe carried the regular season success with the Leafs but the playoff prowess never followed, with only one appearance going beyond the first round in his five seasons in charge.
Having your first taste of coaching in the NHL is no easy task and Keefe recognized that <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/sheldon-keefe-opens-up-about-life-in-new-jersey-the-growth-of-knies-and-minten-his-return-to-toronto" target="_blank" rel="noopener">when reflecting on his time in Toronto</a>. But despite the challenges faced, he felt that the experience would pay dividends in the long run as he continues his coaching career with the Devils and beyond.
<blockquote>“It’s probably not the most ideal situation for your first coaching job in the NHL. However, I do feel like I’ve benefitted greatly from experiencing that because I think it’s something that is a special opportunity, both in the talent that’s there and the organization and how it runs, and the expectations and the pressure and the fanbase. I grew a lot through that and I believe I have thicker skin. I’ve been through a lot there that has helped me grow probably quicker than normal and I have come out the other side of it all right. I feel like I was all the more prepared coming into this job and feel like I&#8217;m ready for anything that comes up. With any experience, it helps you grow. With that experience, it probably speeds up the growth process.&#8221;</blockquote>
After letting go of Keefe, the Leafs quickly pivoted to bring in Craig Berube as their new bench boss. Since the changes were made in Toronto and New Jersey, both have enjoyed a strong regular season with the Leafs leading the Atlantic and the Devils currently second in the Metropolitan.
Keefe&#8217;s replacement knows the feeling well of getting fired and then returning to the building that you once called home as Berube went through that process with the Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues.
“There’s emotions for sure. I think it was similar when we played Jersey in Jersey,” he said. “He was here a long time, did a fabulous job and got close to a lot of people and players and organization stuff. The emotions run up on you a little bit, but we all sign up for this job and we all get fired at some time, at one point.”

New Jersey Devils coach Sheldon Keefe admitted that he is looking forward to his first game back at Scotiabank Arena since the Toronto Maple Leafs relieved him of his duties over the summer.

While this will not be his first game against the Leafs this season, as both previous encounters were in New Jersey, this contest carries extra weight because Keefe spent nearly a decade with the organization, both in the AHL and NHL. Getting the opportunity to reconnect with friends and family, as well as people on the Leafs, will undoubtedly make things emotional for him.

<a href="https://youtu.be/4sgXxJlY1nA?si=wptL1idYrNruVPzv&amp;t=424" target="_blank" rel="noopener">When speaking with reporters in New Jersey after practice on Wednesday</a>, Keefe said he is not going to play down the significance of the moment and enjoy the night regardless of the result.
<blockquote>“I’m excited for it. I spent nine years there. There’s the Leafs time, but the Marlies time was equally special to me. Was fortunate to essentially raise my family there, and in fact they are still living there. So it’s great to get back there, will be able to have lots of friends and family in the building. Also, just to see the faces around the arena. I've been able to connect in the two games that we've played the Leafs here in Jersey with lots of the travelling party in that I'm used to seeing. There is a lot of people throughout the organization and through the building that you are used to seeing and are such a big part of your career that it’s a chance to reconnect with them and see them. It’s going to be a little funny walking to the visiting side, but I fully expect that once the puck drops, it’s going to be hockey and you’re going to do your thing that way. But all of the other stuff outside of it, it's different and unique and I'm looking forward to it. I'll try my best to enjoy it.”</blockquote>
Across his nine-year stint in the Leafs organization, Keefe did a lot of winning during the regular season for both the AHL and NHL squads. The Marlies were among the top teams in the league and each of his playoff appearances finished no worse than the second round, including capturing the 2018 Calder Cup. Keefe carried the regular season success with the Leafs but the playoff prowess never followed, with only one appearance going beyond the first round in his five seasons in charge.

Having your first taste of coaching in the NHL is no easy task and Keefe recognized that <a href="https://theleafsnation.com/news/sheldon-keefe-opens-up-about-life-in-new-jersey-the-growth-of-knies-and-minten-his-return-to-toronto" target="_blank" rel="noopener">when reflecting on his time in Toronto</a>. But despite the challenges faced, he felt that the experience would pay dividends in the long run as he continues his coaching career with the Devils and beyond.
<blockquote>“It’s probably not the most ideal situation for your first coaching job in the NHL. However, I do feel like I’ve benefitted greatly from experiencing that because I think it’s something that is a special opportunity, both in the talent that’s there and the organization and how it runs, and the expectations and the pressure and the fanbase. I grew a lot through that and I believe I have thicker skin. I’ve been through a lot there that has helped me grow probably quicker than normal and I have come out the other side of it all right. I feel like I was all the more prepared coming into this job and feel like I'm ready for anything that comes up. With any experience, it helps you grow. With that experience, it probably speeds up the growth process."</blockquote>
After letting go of Keefe, the Leafs quickly pivoted to bring in Craig Berube as their new bench boss. Since the changes were made in Toronto and New Jersey, both have enjoyed a strong regular season with the Leafs leading the Atlantic and the Devils currently second in the Metropolitan.

Keefe's replacement knows the feeling well of getting fired and then returning to the building that you once called home as Berube went through that process with the Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues.

“There’s emotions for sure. I think it was similar when we played Jersey in Jersey,” he said. “He was here a long time, did a fabulous job and got close to a lot of people and players and organization stuff. The emotions run up on you a little bit, but we all sign up for this job and we all get fired at some time, at one point.”

Sheldon Keefe on his first game back in Toronto since being fired: ‘It’s great to get back there’

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