Brendan Shanahan takes on new role with Hockey Canada.

Fans in Ontario who thought they had seen the last of Brendan Shanahan after his unceremonious exit from the front office of the Toronto Maple Leafs last year are about to see his influence on the sport in the province grow perhaps greater than ever before.

On Saturday, Hockey Canada officially announced that Shanahan would be taking on a new role within their organization, one that will see Shanahan, in collaboration with Hockey Eastern Ontario, Hockey Northwestern Ontario, and the Ontario Hockey Federation, conduct a full review of men’s junior hockey in the province on Ontario. Shanahan will then deliver recommendations based on his findings, recommendations that are intended to to strengthen and further evolve junior hockey in the province.

Hockey Canada president and CEO Katherine Henderson released the following statement:

“As a player, parent and executive, Brendan’s experience in the game is second to none and we are extremely appreciative of his commitment to lead this important project that will strengthen the experience for everyone involved with men’s junior hockey in Ontario,” said Henderson in an official statement. “Brendan is tremendously proud of his Ontario roots, and he has the full support of Hockey Canada and our three Ontario Members as he works to deliver recommendations that will benefit junior hockey in his home province for generations to come.”

Shanahan has also released a statement in conjunction with today's announcement:

“Playing hockey for Team Canada was one of the greatest honours of my career, so to work on this project with Hockey Canada and its three Ontario Members to help give back to the game in my home province is an opportunity that I am very grateful for,” said Shanahan. “Throughout this review, I’m looking forward to learning from those involved in junior hockey in Ontario and better understanding their visions for how we can build a stronger system for everyone participating in our great game.”

Shanahan was praised for much of the work he did during his tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs but his reputation did suffer from the lack of meaningful success that the team delivered on the ice during his tenure as president and alternate governor of the Maple Leafs. Whether or not that will impact how today's announcement is received remains to be seen.