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SACKED, Sheldon Keefe send an emotional 2mins video direct to Maple Leafs and made the team to have a rethink of…
SHELDON KEEFE SPEAKS: Fired Maple Leafs coach posts goodbye video
Sheldon Keefe went out with his head held high on Thursday. Fired as coach of the Maple Leafs a couple of hours earlier, Keefe posted a video to his account on X during the noon hour, speaking directly to Leafs Nation with an equal measure of class and dignity.
Here’s what Keefe had to say in the video, which lasted one minute 53 seconds.
“Leafs Nation, time has come to say goodbye,” Keefe said to start. “Writing down a note and sending it out didn’t seem like enough and I do plan on taking a little break from media, so here I am.
I’m forever grateful for the opportunity to coach the Toronto Maple Leafs. It’s a dream come true for a boy from Brampton.”
Keefe went into a long list of thank-yous, checking off each of the men who he worked for in Toronto, starting with good friend and former general manager Kyle Dubas.
“I want to thank Kyle Dubas, Lou Lamoriello, Brad Treliving, Brandon Pridham, Brendan Shanahan, Larry Tanenbaum and the MLSE board for giving me this opportunity to work with the Marlies and Leafs,” Keefe said.
And, as he did on Monday during his final media availability at the Ford Performance Centre, Keefe put the Leafs’ playoff failures on his own shoulders.
“I didn’t get it done in the playoffs,” Keefe said. “I didn’t help push our team over the line and deliver. I accept responsibility for that. No excuses. That’s the job. I didn’t get it done. That’s the reality of the business and I accept it.”
Keefe then turned his attention to the players and Leafs’ off-ice staff. “To the players, I appreciate all your efforts,” Keefe said “Your talents and your work ethic made me look good on a lot of nights. Anyone who suited up for blue and white, I appreciate you.
“To the support staff of the Maple Leafs, you’re tremendous people and you’re elite at what you do. Players and support staff will drive the team to success. I believe it will win.”
During his tenure as Leafs coach, which started in November 2019 after Mike Babcock was fired, Keefe has spoken numerous times about his respect for the fan base. He did so again on Thursday.
And there were words for the media before Keefe signed off.
“To the media, I’ve had to deal with you every single day, sometimes twice a day, three times a day, I appreciate your process,” Keefe said. “I respected the fact that you’re honest and fair and had a job to do. I hope you appreciated the fact that I helped you do it.
“I don’t know what comes next, but I know I’ll be ready for it. In the meantime, I’ll enjoy giving my family the time that they deserve. Love you all and be well.”
