'It Just Seems Fitting For Him To Get That Role': Why Former Maple Leafs Forward Rich Clune was the 'Natural Fit' to be an Assistant Coach with the Toronto Marlies
Clune was named an assistant coach of the Marlies on Nov. 29 for the remainder of this season, while Eric Wellwood remains on indefinite medical leave.
Late in the third period, trailing by two goals to the division-rival Syracuse Crunch and it's assistant coach Rich Clune, in his first game behind the bench, drawing up the play during a timeout before the Marlies head out for a 6-on-4 power play.
The Marlies legend retired from playing hockey on August 5, 2022. It was the end of an era for the player who spent part of his last two seasons as the captain of AHL Toronto.
In the last 16 months, Clune has worked as a player development coach in the Maple Leafs organization. Most days, you can find the 36-year-old on the ice helping the young players develop rather than competing with them.
That has changed in the last few days, though.
Clune was named the assistant coach of the Marlies for the remainder of the 2023-24 season on November 29, stepping in for assistant Eric Wellwood, who has been on indefinite medical leave since the beginning of the season.
When Clune was named captain of the Marlies, it was felt throughout the entire Maple Leafs organization. Him being named as an assistant coach was no different.
"It's pretty cool," Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe, who coached Clune with the Marlies from 2015 to 2019, said on Thursday.
"I was talking to him the other day. He's done a tremendous job, first of all, in just embracing his role in our player development department and I think the job that he's done there made it where the Marlies were looking for some more help on the everyday assistant coaching side of it, and because of the job he's done, the character of the person, what he means to the organization, I think he seemed like the natural one for them to go to.
"It's a change for him, but he, I think not surprisingly jumped all in on the player development side and just sort of bridged that gap, now between the coaching staff and the players, but also just everything he's been through in his own career, between a minor league player, NHL player, and all his life experiences, I think it's a tremendous add for that group."
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At this moment in time, there are plenty of coaches throughout all levels of hockey who have played professionally at some point in their careers. It was no different with Clune, though his history with the organization and the type of person he is made him the perfect option for the Marlies.
"We had long conversations with him, and it just made sense," said Marlies head coach John Gruden on the addition of Clune on Saturday.
"He’s got great energy, he’s positive, he understands from a player’s perspective. At the end of the day, I’m glad he’s on board and he’s going to help us with a lot of insight. And I think the players enjoy having him around as well."
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Nick Robertson has spent time with Clune, playing alongside him from 2021 to 2022 and being on the ice with him — learning and developing — while the 36-year-old was a development coach.
Robertson, who has now found a role on the Maple Leafs third line, says the addition will be "good" for the team's morale.
"I think he’s a great relationship person. When I was there, no matter who you are, he always maintains relationships and has experience, too. He’s been in the league for a long time, he knows the struggles, he knows the ups and downs, so it just seems fitting for him to get that role because he’s been in that situation."
The young, still developing forward, also told me that Clune sharing his past with him was what stuck out most when looking back at the time they've spent together.
"He had some struggles in the beginning and to see him overcome it, I think that’s what stuck out for me, with him, is that no matter what you go through you can always persevere through on-ice and off-ice stuff. I think just the perseverance aspect of him and what he shared with me really stood out about him," Robertson said.
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Whether it's current or past teammates, coaches, media, or fans, Clune is well respected. Not only because of his past but also because of the way he interacts with everyone, whether you know him or not.
He's a true professional in all aspects.
"When you’re talking about mentorship from guys, he definitely would be one of the top ones. I think almost every single person on the team would say the same," former Marlie and Maple Leafs prospect Curtis Douglas told me while he was in the organization.
Alex Steeves, who's played with and had Clune as a development coach, would agree.
"I think [Clune] really loves to get to know guys and let them be comfortable, even if it’s your first year, which you really don’t see anywhere," Steeves told me during his first pro season. "I think that helps younger guys be more comfortable and play as high to their potential as they can.
"I’d say also that he’s so well respected. Anytime you have a leader where they don’t have to try to lead, they don’t have to act any different than who they are and they’re just a natural leader who guys look up to, I think that’s the best way to get a locker room together, and I think (Clune's) a great example of that."
In Clune's final availability as a player back in May of 2022, he called himself "a student of the game." And while he still might be that, the 36-year-old is now stepping foot into yet another chapter of his storied career.
Clune has been helping his teammates for a long time, and this next chapter in his life will be no different.
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