Brad Rossen (MBE ’16) used to cheer for the Toronto Maple Leafs as a kid. Now, the Brock University graduate is helping to build out the NHL team’s analytics department as its new Vice-President, Research and Development.

“The chance to be part of the Toronto Maple Leafs was too special to ignore,” said Rossen.   Announced in late July, his appointment is just one in a series of personnel changes made by new General Manager John Chayka as the organization continues to reshape its hockey operations.

When Rossen chose Brock University for his Master of Business Economics, the avid hockey fan was hopeful it would help him land a role with a professional hockey organization, but he knew it wasn’t a given.

“I tried to soak up as much knowledge as I could from my time at Brock so that I could be best prepared to hit the ground running and try to achieve my professional goals post-university,” he said. “I can say for sure I wouldn’t be where I am today without the MBE program.”

Determined to carve out the career he wanted, the Port Hope native put things in motion while still a student. Through Brock’s co-op program, Rossen started a work placement at Stathletes Inc., the sports analytics firm co-founded by Chayka and his sister Meghan Chayka (BBA ’12), a fellow Brock grad. That led to a full-time role there as a statistics analyst.

“I have been very fortunate to be able to be part of some special organizations with special people,” said Rossen, reflecting on his career trajectory. “Each individual opportunity has helped shape me both personally and professionally.”

When Chayka was named General Manager of the Arizona Coyotes in 2016, Rossen was handpicked for the role of Director of Statistical Analysis. After four seasons with the team, he shifted gears and spent four years as a National Hockey League Players’ Association-certified agent working at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), a leading entertainment, sports and media talent agency.

While Rossen enjoyed the experience, he couldn’t turn down the opportunity to work for the organization he grew up cheering for.

Rossen joins the Maple Leafs’ front office during a time of transition. Through his role, he plans to integrate evidence-based decision making into the organization’s existing structures and increase the volume and quality of relevant information available to better inform the process in a wide variety of areas, from amateur player evaluation through the draft alongside Assistant General Manager, Player Evaluation Judd Brackett to professional player evaluation with Director of Player Personnel Jeremiah Crowe.

Beyond external player evaluation, Rossen said the department plans to work with the player development team for internal evaluation of their current group of players as well.

“There are a lot of different questions that, as a department, we hope we can help provide answers to throughout this season and beyond,” he said.

From a research and development perspective, Rossen is excited about what the future will bring as advances in technology will allow for rapid and in-depth analysis of players and systems.

While settling into his new role with the Maple Leafs, Rossen was happy to reflect on his time at Brock and the impact it’s had on his life.

The MBE program not only helped him to sharpen his technical skills, but it taught him “a lot about what work ethic really means,” he said.

“The program is incredibly challenging but equally rewarding.”

He encouraged current MBE students interested in pursuing a career in sports to surround themselves with good people who bring positivity into their lives, pushing them to be the best version of themselves.