Maple Leafs fire Coach Paul Maurice

TORONTO, May 7 (UPI) -- The Toronto Maple Leafs Wednesday fired Coach Paul Maurice after a two-year tenure.

Maurice had an overall record of 76-66-22 and missed the playoffs both seasons, making it three seasons in a row that Toronto failed to qualify to join the battle for the league's top prize, the Stanley Cup.

"My objective is to create the best environment possible for the next Leafs general manager to bring in his own staff and to create a new culture around the team," interim General Manager Cliff Fletcher said in an announcement on the team's Web site. "Since the season ended we've spent considerable time evaluating our organization and how best to move it forward. Paul has been in a difficult position for several months. Making this decision now also provides the best opportunity for Paul to pursue all options potentially open to him."

Assistant Coach Dallas Eakins was offered another position in the organization and fellow assistant Keith Acton was retained.