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John Chayka

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John Chayka
Born (1989-06-09) June 9, 1989 (age 36)
Jordan Station, Ontario, Canada
OccupationGeneral manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs
SpouseKathryn Chayka
RelativesMeghan Chayka (sister)

John Chayka (born June 9, 1989)[1] is a Canadian hockey executive who is currently the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL).[2] He was previously the general manager of the Arizona Coyotes.[3] Prior to joining the Coyotes, Chayka was part of an analytics company called Stathletes, and completed his education at the University of Western Ontario's Ivey Business School.[4]

Career

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In May 2016, Chayka became the youngest general manager in NHL history, at 26, when he was hired to be the general manager of the Arizona Coyotes.[5] The Coyotes posted a 131–147–38 record under his four seasons as general manager.[6] The franchise also clinched their first playoff berth since 2012 during this period.[6] Chayka abruptly resigned from his position on July 26, 2020, just one day before the start of the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, which the Coyotes had qualified for.[7] Arizona expressed displeasure in Chayka's resignation.[8]

Chayka was known for his frequent trades in Arizona.[9] Notable transactions during Chayka's tenure with Arizona included trading for multi-time All-Star Phil Kessel and former MVP Taylor Hall (both in 2019), future All-Star Darcy Kuemper, and trading away the seventh-overall pick in the 2017 NHL draft (for Derek Stepan and Antti Raanta).[10] Media and fan reception to Chayka's moves as general manager were largely mixed, although this is also recognized as a time of great turmoil within the Coyotes franchise, which would suspend operations a few seasons after Chayka's departure.[10]

On January 25, 2021, Chayka was suspended from working in the NHL for the remainder of the 2021 calendar year. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman cited "conduct detrimental to the league and game", and further ruled that Chayka had "breached his obligation to the club" by pursuing opportunities with other clubs while still under contract with the Arizona Coyotes, and then terminating his contract with three years remaining.[11] Chayka and the Coyotes were later revealed to have hosted a private scouting combine for draft prospects, which is strictly forbidden by the NHL.[12] The Coyotes were subsequently forced to forfeit their second-round selection in the 2020 draft and their first-round pick in the 2021 draft.[12]

On May 3, 2026, Chayka was hired as the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs.[2] At the time of his hiring, Chayka was once again the youngest general manager in the NHL.[13]

Chayka and his wife Kathryn, through their company JKC Restaurants, own 50 Wendy's and 5 Tim Hortons franchises.[14]

References

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  1. ^ "John Chayka Hockey Stats and Profile at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com.
  2. ^ a b Friedman, Elliotte (2026-05-03). "Maple Leafs officially hiring Mats Sundin, John Chayka to lead front office". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 2026-05-03.
  3. ^ "JOHN CHAYKA - Arizona Coyotes". coyotes.nhl.com.
  4. ^ "NHL Videos - Highlights and Analysis from the National Hockey League". TSN.
  5. ^ Statistically Speaking: Chayka makes history https://www.tsn.ca/statistically-speaking-chayka-makes-history-1.484390
  6. ^ a b Wyshynski, Greg (July 26, 2020). "Arizona Coyotes GM John Chayka resigns ahead of postseason". ESPN. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  7. ^ "Chayka steps down as Arizona GM a week before qualifier". sports.yahoo.com.
  8. ^ Wyshynski, Greg (July 29, 2020). "Why were the Arizona Coyotes so angry that GM John Chayka quit?". ESPN. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  9. ^ Gould, Mike (May 14, 2026). "Good, Bad, and Coyote Ugly: Revisiting Leafs GM John Chayka's track record in Arizona". Daily Faceoff. Retrieved May 18, 2026. He traded with reckless abandon while in the Coyotes' GM chair, making another deal seemingly every other week...
  10. ^ a b Gould, Mike (May 14, 2026). "Good, Bad, and Coyote Ugly: Revisiting Leafs GM John Chayka's track record in Arizona". Daily Faceoff. Retrieved May 18, 2026.
  11. ^ Kaplan, Emily (January 25, 2021). "Source: Ex-Arizona Coyotes GM John Chayka suspended through 2021". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  12. ^ a b Kaplan, Emily (August 26, 2020). "Coyotes forfeit two draft picks for combine testing violations". ESPN. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  13. ^ Mawhood, Rod (May 4, 2026). "Niagara native named Toronto Maple Leafs new General Manager". The Niagara Independent. Retrieved May 4, 2026.
  14. ^ "About". jkcrestaurants.com. Retrieved 2026-05-04.
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