TORONTO — The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Ryane Clowe head coach of the Newfoundland Growlers, their new ECHL affiliate.

The 35-year-old native of St. John's spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach with the New Jersey Devils.

The Growlers, who will play at Mile One Centre in St. John's, take over from the Orlando Solar Bears as the Leafs' secondary affiliate and the primary affiliate of the AHL's Toronto Marlies.

"Ryane brings two years of working on John Hynes' staff in New Jersey in combination with his deep roots in Newfoundland to the position," Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas said in a statement. "His experience and connection with the area, along with the potential he has shown in coaching, make Ryane the best fit for our program."

Clowe played 491 regular-season games for the San Jose Sharks, New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils, collecting 112 goals and 197 assists. He also had 18 goals and 28 assists in 70 playoff games.

He retired in 2015 after a string of concussions.

The left-winger played his junior hockey for Rimouski and Montreal in the QMJHL before being taken in the sixth round (175th overall) of the 2001 NHL draft by San Jose. Clowe, who spent three seasons with the AHL's Cleveland Barons, was recently inducted into the Newfoundland and Labrador Hockey Hall of Fame.

Clowe is scheduled to attend the Maple Leafs development camp next week as well as training camp with the Maple Leafs and Marlies in September.

St. John's was previously home to the AHL's Maple Leafs from 1991 to 2005, before the team relocated to Toronto and was renamed the Marlies.