Chicago Steel: Reigning USHL GM of Year Ryan Hardy hired by Toronto Maple Leafs

GENEVA – Ryan Hardy, the now former general manager of the Clark Cup champion Chicago Steel, is leaving the organization for a prominent dual role within the Toronto Maple Leafs organization, Steel public relations announced Friday.

The two-time USHL general manager of the Year, Hardy will serve as Senior Director of Minor League Operations for the Maple Leafs. In addition, Hardy will be general manager of both the Toronto Marlies, the club’s American Hockey League affiliate, and the Newfoundland Growlers, the franchise’s East Coast Hockey League affiliate.

Hardy will assume his new role July 1.

Hardy’s departure was initially reported by SportsNet (Canada)’s Elliotte Friedman and later confirmed by the Steel.

In his three seasons at the helm, Hardy’s Steel were a USHL-best 116-39-8-2 record, winning one championship, the Clark Cup in 2021, and two Anderson Cups, the league’s recognition for the regular season champion.

“I am certainly excited to begin my new role in Toronto but this is definitely a very bittersweet day,” said Hardy via a news release. “I have given all of myself to this team over the last three years and I will miss this place tremendously. I want to thank [Owner] Larry Robbins and [President] Dan Lehv for the belief they put in me and our ambitious vision three years ago. "

“I am so grateful to [coach] Brock Sheahan and our hockey staff, as well as our support staff, who have and will continue to represent our organization in an exemplary fashion,” the statement continued. “I’m grateful for our billet families and our fans, without whom none of this is possible. Most importantly, I want to express gratitude to all of the young men who have played for the Steel during my tenure. I am very blessed to have been a part of their lives. It has been a privilege to watch them grow.”

Steel assistant general manager Noëlle Needham will assume the role as GM while an internal and external search process to replace Hardy takes place, the organization said.

Hardy will re-join forces with former Steel coach Greg Moore, as Moore was hired to be head coach of the Marlies in 2019.

Hardy constructed one of the most highly-touted independent junior hockey rosters in the past few seasons, as five players from the 2019-2020 roster were selected in the 2020 NHL Draft. The Steel could possibly surpass that number for this year’s draft and might see defenseman Owen Power as a top selection.

“For three years, Ryan has worked tirelessly and selflessly to build upon a development culture that elevates the skills, opportunities and character of our players, our coaches and our hockey operations professionals,” said Robbins.

“I know I speak for every member of the Steel team and family in celebrating Ryan’s accomplishments as a member of the Chicago Steel and in earning the opportunity to pursue his destiny in NHL scouting and player development with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ryan and I are in the process of exploring the logistics of a minority partnership that will keep Ryan part of the Steel family for years to come,” the statement continued.