The Toronto Maple Leafs and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment have hired former NHLer Mark Fraser for a role focused on player development with its Equity, Diversity and Inclusion team, the club announced Tuesday. Justin Bobb has been hired to join the group as well, in a role focused on team strategy.
In the new role, Fraser will report to the Maple Leafs' front office, as well as Teri Dennis-Davies, who was named vice-president, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, in September 2020. Per the club, Fraser will "work directly with the players and staff within all MLSE teams as the EDI department looks to further educate and bring positive change within its teams and the community. Bobb, in his new role, will focus on helping MLSE teams develop and execute on their equity, diversity and inclusion strategies.
"As a former professional athlete, Mark has an influential voice within our teams' dressing rooms and first-hand experience he can share within our organization and the community in the areas of equity, diversity and inclusion," Dennis-Davies said of Fraser, via a release.
The 34-year-old spent parts of two seasons with the Maple Leafs during his NHL days, and logged seven years in the big leagues altogether.
"Justin brings years of frontline experience in the community from his work at MLSE LaunchPad to the role, helping the Maple Leafs, and MLSE, shape our work and ensuring that we are contributing to positive change," Dennis-Davies said of Bobb.
Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan elaborated on the role Fraser and Bobb will play with the Maple Leafs.
"Mark will work hand in hand with our players and within our organization and community to help make hockey a more inclusive and welcoming place for all," he said via a release. "At the same time, Justin's insights and experience helping many community sports programs and communities facing equity, diversity and inclusion barriers will be invaluable to the Maple Leafs in our own work, as well as the work of MLSE."
