Leafs assistant McFarland taking job as OHL Frontenacs head coach

Toronto Maple Leafs assistant coach Paul McFarland accepted a job as head coach of the OHL's Kingston Frontenacs, the NHL team announced Friday.

McFarland joined Toronto's staff prior to the 2019-20 campaign after two seasons as the assistant coach of the Florida Panthers. He remained on the team's bench after head coach Mike Babcock was replaced by Sheldon Keefe midseason. The move gives Keefe an opportunity to start assembling his own staff for next season.

McFarland will stay with the Leafs for the remainder of the 2019-20 campaign if the season is able to resume.

"Ultimately, I made this decision for my own development as a head coach and I am honored and excited about the opportunity to help develop an exciting group of young players in Kingston," McFarland said. "I still remain 100% committed to the Maple Leafs organization, its staff, and the players for the remainder of the 2019-20 NHL season and Stanley Cup Playoffs."

McFarland was responsible for running the Leafs' sixth-ranked power play, which operated at 23.1%.

This will be the 34-year-old's second stint in Kingston; he previously served as Frontenacs head coach for three seasons from 2014-17. This time around, he'll get an opportunity to coach phenom Shane Wright, the projected top pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.