TORONTO (AP) — Hayley Wickenheiser and the Toronto Maple Leafs are parting ways after the hockey Hall of Famer spent eight seasons working in the NHL team’s front office.
Wickenheiser said in an Instagram post Thursday that the move came after “several discussions” with new Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka.
“During those conversations, my expectation was that I would be in a position to continue to have a significant impact within the organization,” Wickenheiser said. “However, it became clear that his leadership group envisioned a different path.”
Wickenheiser joined the Maple Leafs as assistant director of player development in August 2018, shortly after the end of her stellar playing career. She was named an assistant general manager in July 2022.
“Since joining the club in 2018, I have been immensely proud of the work our player development team has accomplished,” Wickenheiser said. “I want to sincerely thank the incredibly talented individuals, coaches, management, and players whom I have been fortunate enough to work alongside over the last eight years.
“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity, wish the team nothing but the best moving forward, and look forward to the next chapter.”
Wickenheiser led Canada to four Olympic titles and seven world championships over her playing career. She is Canada’s career points leader with 168 goals and 211 assists in 276 games.
She was one of a handful of front-office employees let go this week.
“As part of our ongoing evaluation of the organization, we have made the difficult decision to part ways with some valued colleagues,” Chayka said in a statement. “These decisions were not easy and are not a reflection of the commitment of the impacted people. We are sincerely grateful for everything they have contributed to this organization and wish them nothing but the very best in the future.”
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FILE - Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Hayley Wickenheiser poses in Toronto, Nov. 15, 2019. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP, File)
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Kylian Mbappé had a goal and an assist after missing a first-half penalty kick, Ousmane Dembélé scored the other and France beat Morocco 2-0 Thursday in the World Cup quarterfinals.
Mbappé's goal in the 60th minute was the 20th of his World Cup career and came in his 20th match at the tournament, moving him one behind Argentina captain Lionel Messi. Dembélé scored his fifth goal of the tournament in the 66th.
Mbappé was taken down in the 76th minute and was taken off for a substitute a minute later. He was then shown sitting on the bench with an ice pack on his right ankle.
After the match and with both shoes on, Mbappé ran and jumped in celebration with his teammates.
France will face either Spain or Belgium in the semifinals in Dallas on Tuesday.
France beat Morocco by the same score in the semifinals of the 2022 tournament in Qatar when the Atlas Lions became the first African team to make it that far. France now remains on track to become only the third nation to play in the final of three consecutive World Cups.
Mbappé got his goal with a perfectly placed shot just inside the far post after Morocco failed to clear the ball. He received the ball just outside the area, took a couple steps forward and then sent his shot sailing into the net. He extended both arms and ran to the sideline to celebrate with his teammates.
France's second goal came after Mbappé took a pass and tapped it back for Dembélé. Mbappé kept running forward and took defenders with him, opening space for Dembélé's shot.
France held a 21-4 advantage in shots on goal and 8-1 edge in shots on target for the game.
Mbappé also had the first shot on goal of the game, just missing wide right in the fourth minute. Then, in the 25th, he was running up the left side when he was chopped down in the box by Morocco defender Noussair Mazraoui. Referee Facundo Tello quickly pointed to the penalty spot.
Mbappé lined up waiting for his attempt but was held up by a lengthy video review. He was finally cleared to shoot in the 28th minute, but after a hesitation, Mbappé’s shot toward the right corner was corralled by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who guessed the direction of the shot correctly.
Mbappé made his only other penalty attempt at this year's World Cup in France’s 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the round of 16.
Still, France was by far the more active team offensively in the first half, holding a 13-1 advantage in shots on goal.
Morocco’s best opportunity came just before the halftime whistle when Achraf Hakimi sent a free kick from just outside the box past the right post.
See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here
France's Kylian Mbappe celebrates after France defeated Morocco during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between France and Morocco in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Thursday, July 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
France's Manu Kone (6) and Morocco's Ayyoub Bouaddi (6) battle for the ball during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between France and Morocco in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Thursday, July 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou (1) reaches for the ball during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between France and Morocco in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Thursday, July 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
France's Kylian Mbappe (10) reacts after missing a penalty kick against Morocco during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Thursday, July 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou (1) stops a penalty kick against France's Kylian Mbappe (10) during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Thursday, July 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Stockwell)
Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou (1) saves a penalty kick by France's Kylian Mbappe during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between France and Morocco in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Thursday, July 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
France's Kylian Mbappe (10) runs out for warmups prior to the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between France and Morocco in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Thursday, July 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Morocco's Ayoub Amaimouni (21), Neil El Aynaoui (24), Achraf Hakimi (2), Brahim Diaz (10) and Gessime Yassine (16) celebrate after the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Canada and Morocco in Houston, Saturday, July 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Karen Warren)
France's Kylian Mbappe warms up before the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between France and Morocco in Foxborough, Mass., near Boston, Thursday, July 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
