Leafs hire Stars scout Leach as director of amateur scouting

The Toronto Maple Leafs hired Mark Leach as director of amateur scouting, the team announced Thursday.

Leach spent the past 11 seasons with the Dallas Stars as an amateur scout. He worked directly with Joe McDonnell, the Stars' director of amateur scouting, to oversee the team's drafts.

Dallas has been among the league's best drafting teams in recent years. The Stars snagged Wyatt Johnston 23rd overall and Logan Stankoven 47th overall in 2021, both of whom were key contributors on entry-level contracts in Dallas' run to the conference final.

Here are other notable selections in Leach's tenure with the Stars:

Leach was an amateur scout with the Detroit Red Wings from 1996-2013 before joining the Stars.

The Maple Leafs' previous director of amateur scouting, Wes Clark, departed the organization to join the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 9. Clark had been in the role since 2021.

Clark ran three drafts with Toronto. Easton Cowan and Fraser Minten are among the players selected during his tenure.