TORONTO — The Toronto Maple Leafs are staying in-house for Lou Lamoriello’s replacement as general manager, turning to 32-year-old Kyle Dubas.
Dubas, who was hired by the team as an assistant GM in 2014, becomes one of the youngest general managers in the National Hockey League.
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Here’s a look at some other GMs from across the pro sports world who started young:
JOHN CHAYKA, ARIZONA COYOTES
The Coyotes’ decision to name John Chayka as general manager at the tender age of 26 was a shocker.
He became the youngest GM in both NHL and North American major sport history.
Like Dubas, Chayka has an analytics background and served as assistant GM before getting a promotion.
Chayka, a native of Jordan Station, Ont., co-founded hockey analytics firm Stathletes Inc., in 2009.
TIM BEZBATCHENKO, TORONTO FC
After a three-year run in Major League Soccer’s front office, Bezbatchenko was tasked with trying to put Toronto FC on the MLS map.
Hired by TFC in 2013 at age 31, he helped land designated players Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley and Sebastian Giovinco.
Toronto reached the playoffs for the first time in 2015 and won its first MLS Cup last fall.
THEO EPSTEIN, BOSTON RED SOX
At 28, Epstein became the youngest GM in Major League Baseball when he was hired by the Boston Red Sox in 2002.
He helped build the team that won the World Series in 2004, ending an 86-year drought.
Epstein later moved on to Chicago and guided the Cubs to a title in 2016. It was the franchise’s first championship since 1908.
ALEX ANTHOPOULOS, TORONTO BLUE JAYS
The Blue Jays turned to a 32-year-old Anthopoulos when J.P. Ricciardi was fired at the end of the 2009 season.
Anthopoulos started his baseball career in 2000 as an intern with the Montreal Expos before joining the Blue Jays’ staff and eventually spending four years as assistant GM.
As general manager, he guided the Blue Jays to a post-season appearance in 2015. Anthopoulos later joined the L.A. Dodgers’ front office and is currently GM of the Atlanta Braves.
