Keefe returns to Toronto after being dismissed as bench boss last season.

Sheldon Keefe had not been to Scotiabank Arena since he was dismissed as head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Greeted to a large media contingent, he was all smiles, even noting the fresh coat of red paint in the visiting locker room area.

"They painted the walls red for me," he joked.

But Keefe, who now serves as bench boss of the 26-15-5 New Jersey Devils, was in good spirits reflecting on his time in Toronto, that began with as head coach of the Toronto Marlies in 2015.

"I've been in the visitors room before with the Marlies and now but it is a little different here, looks a little different," Keefe said. I pointed out the red hallways but obviously the suites and such are a little different. But just great to see some of the familiar faces and say hi to everyone."

When Keefe took the job as Devils head coach last summer, his wife Jackie and sons Wyatt and Landon stayed back in Toronto. Last night he was able to go to their home in Oakville and drive into Downtown Toronto, much like he did over all these years.

"We got stuck on the QEW and Gardiner this morning," Keefe joked, before explaining why his family stayed in Toronto.

"We were fortunate to spend nine years here. My boys are 12 and 14 and have created some great friendships and competitive hockey and lacrosse players. And didn't want to disrupt that," Keefe said. "My wife also very comfortable and lots of great friendships and support systems around her. So we, you know, had a pretty good sense that, you know, the next move or if there was going to be a move would be one where the family would likely stay behind."

He added part of the appeal of going to Jersey was the various airline commute options between Newark and Toronto. Keefe has spent some off days in Toronto this season when time permits. It's not unlike Leafs head coach Craig Berube, whose family lives in New Hope, Pennsylvania.

Keefe reflected on his time in Toronto, continue how the main regret remains that he didn't have much playoff success beyond the 2023 season in which they defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round.

But he never felt relieved about leaving the Toronto market when he was dismissed following Toronto's first-round playoff loss to the Boston Bruins in 2024.

"I loved every second of being the Leafs' coach. I wouldn't say that. I mean, you can just tell  the fact that I left my family here. I'm very comfortable here.," Keefe said. "I never once had a negative experience. Nothing, treated nothing but a great respect. And even this summer being around, I never left all summer other than the odd trip to Jersey here and there. But just being around and people stopping to come up and thank me for my time here. So, you know, there's a lot of responsibility that comes with the job and lots of privilege. And I loved every single day that I coach the Leafs."

Keefe's first game against his former club came earlier in the season when the Devils had their home opener. Apparently there was a lot of money on the board to help the coach get the win against his former team. This time, Keefe will take a different approach.

" had a fair amount on the first game when we played these guys in the home opener. And it did not go well," Keefe said pointing to the 4-2 loss. "I'm not revisiting that. We're going to play for the points tonight."

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