The Little Caps are pleased to announce that Director of Player Achievement Duante Abercrombie has accepted a position with the Toronto Maple Leafs. In his new role as Coaching Development Associate with the Leafs, Duante will be involved in all facets of the three coaching staffs in the organization-- the NHL Leafs, AHL Toronto Marlies, and ECHL Newfoundland Growlers-- gaining valuable experience, working with numerous coaching staffs, and contributing across a wide spectrum of development.

For the past four seasons with the Little Caps, Abercrombie served as Head Coach for two midget squads and in his latest role as Director of Player Achievement.

"Crazy as it sounds, that's exactly what Duante did for us here," says Little Caps Hockey Director Matt Thomas."His role as Director of Player Achievement was to work up and down our club, with each squad and coaching staff-- wearing a lot of hats, adapting quickly and repeatedly, sometimes working with three or four teams in a single evening."

Abercrombie is an alumnus of Gonzaga College High School (Class of 2005), where he helped Gonzaga win 4 MSHL/ MAPHL Championships, multiple Purple Puck Championships, and numerous games over nationally ranked prep school programs, as a player (2001- 2005) and a coach (2008- 2013). He also coached at Georgetown Preparatory School, and in his first year, he helped lead his team to its first IAC Championship. For the past three seasons, he's served on the coaching staff at Stevenson University (NCAA Division 3), 48-18-4 record overall, including two 18-win seasons. Premiering earlier this year, Abercrombie was the subject of the 'NHL Bound' video series, documenting his involvement as one of two black coaches in the Arizona Coyotes' inaugural coaching internship program. Click here to view the video.

"Duante is a great example to all young inspiring professionals - in any field - believe in yourself, work as hard as you can, and good things will come your way," says Little Caps Executive Director, Doug Plocki. "We will miss Duante for sure, but could not be happier for this impressive young man."