Good morning Toronto Maple Leafs fans.

You ever have a name just pop into your head and you wonder, what have they been up to?

Sometimes it’s an actor, or an artist, or politician, maybe someone from your senior kindergarten class, but you just wonder what they do now that they’re out of the spotlight or your life.

So anyway I'm driving around the city as I do and it hits me. What's Bruce Boudreau doing?

He hasn't been around hockey since he was fired by the Minnesota Wild back in February 2020. He's done the odd radio hit here or there, it's fun to have some old coaches on to tell stories.

But what's he really doing?

Turns out he's starting his own junior hockey empire.

Crystal and Bruce Boudreau Are on a Junior Hockey Mission - The Hockey News on Sports Illustrated

"The USPHL franchise has been christened the Hershey Cubs and it’s not even the first junior team the Boudreaus have started. Back in 2017, the husband and wife were living in Minnesota and watching the youngest of their four kids, Brady, go through the junior hockey system.

“We didn’t like how it was run, where you drop kids because another kid comes along, or you have a favorite that plays over someone better,” Crystal said. “And we thought if we worked together, we could have a competitive team while being loyal to the kids and teaching them more than just hockey.”

One conversation snowballed, leading to a phone call to the USPHL. The Boudreaus and their partners (including coach/GM Jay Witta) had the franchise by July and by September, less than two months later, the Minnesota Blue Ox were on the ice for their first season."

Two junior teams. That's awesome. Looks like he's keeping busy there, but is he still watching the NHL?

Oh he's still watching the Leafs? That's great. Good to know he's still a fan from his childhood. What's that?

Oh he was a Maple Leaf? A third round pick too? He was in the Maple Leafs system for eight years you say?

Huh. Wow. It would be neat if he'd come back to Toronto, but we already have a coach. Plus I'm not sure he'd be comfortable coaching such big stars like John Tavares and William Nylander, not to mention supporting role players like Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews.

Oh he has? In Washington? Alex Ovechkin, eh? Oh Bruce benched Ovie because he wasn't listening? Accountability....that's a weird concept.

Huh.

Well. Whatever Bruce does next, I hope he has a great time.

Anyway, here's some news for you.

In the playoffs the Colorado Avalanche are up 1-0 over the Vegas Golden Knights after winning game one 7-1. They'll be without Ryan Reaves for two games however, as he was suspended for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Golden Knights' Reaves suspended 2 games for roughing, unsportsmanlike conduct - Sportsnet.ca

Only two games, eh?

In another series the Boston Bruins are up 2-0 over the New York Islanders after winning by score last night.

The Tampa Bay Lightning lead the Carolina Hurricanes 1-0 after a 2-1 win on the weekend.

Morning After Thoughts: Tampa Bay found a way to steal Game 1, but they’ll need to be better if they want to win the series

Anyway, I hope everyone does everything they can to have a great day. I'm going to keep being alone in my van with no sports radio or podcasts on.

From The Branches