Ex-Leafs assistant GM Mark Hunter returns to junior hockey

The Mark Hunter watch is officially over.

The ex-NHL executive is headed back to the London Knights to assume the role of general manager, the Ontario Hockey League club announced Friday.

"I am very happy to be back in London," Hunter said in a press release. "We have a strong group within our organization and I look forward to returning to work with everyone to develop an even stronger team for our fans and for our city and the community."

Hunter, 55, left the Toronto Maple Leafs this spring after a four-year tenure, first as director of player personnel and then as assistant GM. The former NHL player and the team "mutually agreed to part ways" in the wake of Kyle Dubas' promotion to the GM chair in May.

There was much speculation this offseason over Hunter's next step. Many believed the New York Islanders made sense as a potential NHL fit, given Hunter's ties to their new GM, old Leafs boss Lou Lamoriello. However, a return to the OHL should surprise no one.

Hunter, part owner and vice-president of the Knights, bumps Rob Simpson into an associate GM role. Simpson was London's general manager for the past two seasons following four years as assistant GM, including two-and-a-half under Hunter.

"Rob and I will be working together every day in order to achieve the goals of our organization," Hunter said. "He has done an outstanding job in all facets of his position and I look forward to continuing to work with him on all elements within our organization.

"We are excited for this upcoming season and look forward to bringing another competitive team forward to entertain and excite our fans."