Head coach: Steve Spott, Waterloo, Ont., Kitchener (OHL)The Canadian Press
Steve Spott has been named the new head coach of the American Hockey League's Toronto Marlies.
Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Dave Nonis confirmed the move in a statement. Spott replaces Dallas Eakins, who left Toronto to become head coach of the Edmonton Oilers.
Spott spent the last 12 seasons with the Ontario Hockey League's Kitchener Rangers, taking over as head coach and GM in 2008 after Peter DeBoer was hired by the Florida Panthers.
Kitchener made the playoffs in three of four seasons under Spott, reaching the Western Conference final twice.
He also coached Canada at the 2013 world junior championship. Canada lost 6-5 to Russia in the bronze-medal game.
A graduate of Colgate University, Spott registered 148 points (75 goals, 73 assists) and 213 penalty minutes over his four-year college career. He played 20 games for the AHL's Newmarket Saints during the 1990-91 season.