Maple Leafs Hire Sidney Crosby’s Trainer as Head Strength and Conditioning Coach

Overview

• The team added Andy O’Brien as its head strength and conditioning coach on Sunday, August 2, 2026, a move first reported by NHL insider Steve Simmons and carried by Heavy and Yahoo Sports.
• O’Brien is best known as Sidney Crosby’s longtime trainer and has worked with other top NHL players such as Nathan MacKinnon and Matt Duchene.
• The signing is presented as the latest step in new general manager John Chayka’s offseason overhaul that included firing coach Craig Berube and hiring Jim Hiller and new assistants.
• The hire drew immediate public praise from former Leafs defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo and was framed by outlets as an effort to reduce injuries and improve recovery after an injury-plagued season.
• Strength and conditioning hires like this aim to boost player availability by improving training, movement mechanics and recovery, and current coverage is based on insider reporting rather than a detailed team announcement.