Maple Leafs Add Judd Brackett and Freddie Hamilton to Hockey Operations Department

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced two additions to their hockey operations staff, naming Judd Brackett as Assistant General Manager, Player Evaluation, and Freddie Hamilton as Chief of Staff.

Brackett will lead player evaluation efforts across both amateur and professional scouting, adding another layer to the Maple Leafs’ decision-making structure. He joins Toronto after a long scouting career that included five seasons with the Minnesota Wild as Director of Amateur Scouting and earlier work with Team USA at the past three IIHF World Junior Championships. Before that, the Harwich, Massachusetts native spent 12 seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, first as an amateur scout and later as Director of Amateur Scouting for five seasons.

Maple Leafs General Manager John Chayka said Brackett brings a proven track record in scouting and drafting and will help the organization blend traditional scouting, video analysis, and data-driven insights. The club said Brackett’s role will be central to strengthening its evaluation process as it continues to build out its hockey operations department.

Hamilton, 34, will serve as Chief of Staff and support strategic planning and cross-functional projects across the hockey operations department. He will work closely with the club’s leadership group on organizational initiatives and internal alignment.

A former NHL player, Hamilton was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the fifth round, 129th overall, of the 2010 NHL Draft. He appeared in 75 regular-season NHL games for San Jose, Colorado, Calgary, and Arizona. After retiring from hockey, he earned an MBA from Yale University and later worked in private equity with Bolt Ventures, gaining experience in investing, strategy, and organizational leadership.

Chayka said Hamilton’s playing background, business training, and professional experience made him a strong fit for the Maple Leafs’ hockey operations department. The team highlighted his character, work ethic, and collaborative approach as qualities that will support its strategic goals.

The announcements reflect the Maple Leafs’ continued effort to expand and modernize their front office with personnel who bring both hockey expertise and business experience. Brackett’s scouting background and Hamilton’s mix of NHL experience and post-playing business credentials are expected to contribute to the club’s broader efforts to improve evaluation, planning, and operational coordination.