Spirit GM Jim Paliafito joins Maple Leafs
Thursday May 21, 2015
Saginaw, MI – The Saginaw Spirit announce today that General Manager Jim Paliafito has accepted the position of Director of Player Evaluation with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League. Paliafito is leaving the Spirit Organization after spending six and half seasons in Saginaw as the native of Milwaukee, WI began his tenure with the franchise in May, 2009 taking on the role as the team’s Head Scout, eventually adding the Assistant General Manager portfolio to his duties in 2010. Paliafito was then elevated to the General Manager’s chair in mid-December of 2011.
Prior to joining the Spirit organization, Paliafito worked with the USHL’s Indiana Ice leading the team’s player personnel division and scouting department. He was with the franchise when they won the league championship in 2009. Paliafito’s diverse track record in sports also saw him work as an agent representing players from the National Football League including former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor and some of the finest NFL talents of the 1980’s and 90’s
In joining the Toronto Maple Leafs Organization, he adds to the significant Ontario Hockey League presence within the franchise joining former London Knight Brendan Shanahan, former London Knights General Manager Mark Hunter, and former Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds General Manager Kyle Dubas in the upper management framework in Toronto. Paliafito admits there was a lot of emotion in making the decision and recognizes the support of his former and future colleagues.
“The Saginaw Spirit has become a tremendous organization in junior hockey, and I want to thank Dick Garber and Craig Goslin for their trust and support during my 6 1/2 years in Saginaw. I also have to thank the entire coaching and hockey staff headed by Greg Gilbert, and I am also very appreciative of the Saginaw Spirit’s business staff for their support and tireless hours they put in. I would also like to recognize the appreciation I have for the Ontario Hockey League, and what a privilege it has been to work in such a tremendous developmental league. I am very honored to be joining The Toronto Maple Leafs Organization and look forward to the challenge that lies ahead. I am very appreciative to Brendan Shanahan, Kyle Dubas and Mark Hunter for this opportunity.”
Spirit Team President Craig Goslin offered his thoughts on the legacy Paliafito has established with the Spirit Organization.
“On behalf of Dick Garber and the entire Saginaw Spirit franchise, sponsors and fans, we are very grateful for the work that Jim Paliafito has done building and managing our franchise. Our league (The CHL) is the top developmental league for players going into the NHL but we are also the top developmental league for coaches, managers and referees. As much as we would like to keep him, we should all consider it a victory when one of them moves up to a top level position with the NHL or an NHL team. We are all very close with Jim as the entire staff has built a strong trusting relationship with him. We wish him all the best in his new position with the Toronto Maple Leafs. In his 6 1/2 seasons with our franchise, Jim has demonstrated outstanding scouting ability and very strong character. He is a tireless worker, a great competitor and is obviously very highly respected throughout the OHL and NHL Hockey communities. Jim has left our franchise in a very good position to compete for championships with a very talented young roster, a strong draft grid, and a coaching staff with over 53 years of NHL playing and coaching experience, and we will miss him.
Mr. Garber and myself will be conducting a search to fill the Spirit’s General Manager position over the next few weeks.
For more information, visit saginawspirit.com.
