Who is Brad Treliving, the pizza prince leading the Maple Leafs as their new GM?

The Maple Leafs are shaking it up in the off-season.

Brad Treliving was officially named the Leafs’ 18th general manager on Wednesday, less than two weeks after Kyle Dubas was fired following a tumultuous series of events.

Treliving, whose previous stint as GM of the Calgary Flames saw the team win two playoff series in his nine years at the helm, was tapped to “elevate” the Leafs after 56 years (and counting) of Toronto failing to win the Stanley Cup.

In a statement, president Brendan Shanahan said: “Brad (Treliving) brings a wealth of knowledge from his years of experience as a general manager and hockey executive in Calgary, Arizona and beyond. He has earned tremendous respect amongst his peers throughout his years in the NHL and has built excellent relationships at all levels within the game. We are confident that Brad’s leadership and strategic vision will elevate the Maple Leafs in our continued pursuit of a championship.”

For his part, Treliving said: “I’m thrilled to join an Original Six team and recognize how much the Maple Leafs mean to this community. This is a very exciting day for my family and I.”

Here’s what you need to know about the seasoned hockey executive and crown prince of pizza, who was formally introduced at a press conference on Thursday.

Where was Brad Treliving born?

Treliving was born in Penticton, in B.C.’s Okanagan Valley.

How old?

Treliving was born Aug. 18, 1969. He is 53.

Family

He is the son of Jim Treliving, owner and founder of Boston Pizza and a longtime host on CBC’s “Dragons’ Den.” Jim congratulated his son following his appointment, joking that he’s happy to play backup goalie if needed.

Brad Treliving’s wife’s name is Julie: “When I leave here and go home, I have a boss there. Her name is Julie and she scares the heck out of me a lot of nights, but that’s how it works,” he said in 2014.

He has a sister, Cheryl Treliving. Mom Elaine Lorraine Treliving, died in 2016 at age 74.

Hockey management experience

Treliving has over 20 years of managerial experience, starting in 1996 when he co-founded the Western Professional Hockey League. There he served as president and director of hockey operations until the league merged with the Central Hockey League in 2001.

Treliving continued to work as president of the CHL until 2003, when he was hired by the Arizona Coyotes (formerly Phoenix Coyotes) as assistant GM. He served in their front office for seven seasons before joining the Calgary Flames as their GM in 2014.

During his tenure with the Flames, Calgary won the Pacific Division twice but also missed the playoffs four times. When they did qualify, they never advanced past the second round.

Earlier, Treliving played professional hockey for five seasons from 1990 to 1995, mostly in the ECHL.

Treliving’s best moves

Treliving made over 40 trades while with the Flames. Perhaps the most controversial was when he sent Matthew Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers last summer, after the Flames star said he wanted out. In return, Calgary got Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar and Cole Schwindt. Although Tkachuk has led the Panthers to the Stanley Cup final, the Flames came out on top points-wise in the regular season.

Treliving’s first major trade with the Flames came in 2015, when he swapped one first- and two second-round picks to the Boston Bruins for Dougie Hamilton. The defenceman went on to play three strong seasons in Calgary, finishing in the top 10 in Norris Trophy voting in his second year and 15th in his third.

Hamilton was eventually sent to the Carolina Hurricanes in 2018, along with Michael Ferland and the rights to Adam Fox in a trade that netted the Flames Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin, both still with the team.

Skip forward to February 2022, when Treliving made another bold move by swapping Tyler Pitlick, Emil Heineman, a first-round pick in 2022 and a fifth-rounder in 2023 to the Montreal Canadiens. In return, Calgary acquired Tyler Toffoli, who ended up having the best statistical season of his 12-year career, leading the Flames in points.

Treliving’s worst moves

In 2016, Treliving swapped a second-round pick in that year’s draft and a third-rounder in 2018 to the St. Louis Blues for goalie Brian Elliott. Despite coming off a hot season with the Blues, Elliott struggled in the playoffs and the Flames were swept in the first round. Elliott would leave as a free agent after the season.

The GM continued trading draft picks in 2017, swapping a third-rounder that year and a 2018 fifth-round selection to the Coyotes for Michael Stone. While Stone is still with the Flames, the picks proved more valuable.

Months later, Treliving dealt Jyrki Jokipakka and a 2017 second-round pick to the Ottawa Senators for Curtis Lazar and Michael Kostka. The Flames coveted Lazar, but they’d get burned after he played just 70 games in three seasons, scoring a total of 15 points. He’d leave in 2018 as a free agent.

In 2021, Treliving traded away Sam Bennett, drafted fourth overall, to the Florida Panthers for Emil Heineman. Bennett has become a top contributor for the Panthers.

As for how Treliving will perform from his new perch with the Leafs, only time will tell.

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