Keefe, who was previously the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, has been hired by the Devils as their next head coach. During his time with the Maple Leafs, Keefe led the team to the playoffs in each of his five seasons as head coach. However, they were unable to advance past the first round in four of those years, winning just one out of six playoff series. Keefe compiled an impressive 212-97-40 record in 349 career regular season games.
Before coaching in the NHL, Keefe was the head coach of Toronto’s AHL affiliate, the Marlies, where he had a successful tenure with a 200-89-31 record and four playoff appearances. He also won a Calder Cup title in 2018. Keefe was drafted 47th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 1999 NHL Draft but his playing career was cut short after five seasons due to injury, leading him to pursue coaching instead.
Keefe replaces Lindy Ruff as the head coach of the Devils, who was fired in early March. Travis Green served as the interim head coach for the remainder of the 2023-24 NHL season before accepting a head coaching position with another team on May 7. The hiring of Keefe marks a new chapter for both him and for
