Leafs welcome Shanahan as new president

Toronto: The Toronto Maple Leafs introduced Brendan Shanahan as the new team president Monday, saying the three-time Stanley Cup winner has what it takes to turn the club around.

"I look at his track record, his accountability and his career," said chairman Tim Leiweke. "In 21 years he made the playoffs 18 times. He knows the game. I like his passion, I like his work ethic. He wants to come home and do something very special for this city." Shanahan, who was named to the position on Friday, takes over one of the National Hockey League`s original six franchises. Leiweke said Shanahan would be in charge of all decisions for the Leafs, who have missed the playoffs eight of the past nine seasons and have not won a Stanley Cup since 1967. "Today is my first day of work and there`s a lot of work to be done," said Shanahan. "Everybody realizes how difficult it is to win in the NHL." The 45-year-old Shanahan will be working closely with general manager Dave Nonis. Toronto reached the playoffs last season and lost in the first round to the Boston Bruins, blowing a 3-1 series lead. This year`s team started quickly getting off to a 10-4-0 start through the first month, but a run of eight straight losses to end March led to a 2-12-0 finish that left the Leafs with a record of 38-36-8. Shanahan was an eight-time all-star during his brilliant playing career with the New Jersey Devils, St. Louis Blues, Hartford Whalers, Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers. Shanahan was a member of three Stanley Cup championship teams in Detroit was inducted into the hockey Hall of Fame last year.