Staois retires, joines Leafs as advisor

Defenseman Steve Staios has retired from the NHL and taken a position with Toronto as player development advisor, the Maple Leafs announced Wednesday.

Staios, 39, who played for the New York Islanders last season, played 1,001 career games.

"I am very excited about joining the Toronto Maple Leafs management team," Staios said in a statement. "I am looking forward to doing everything I can to help the team have success. The time is right for me and my family to step away from the game that I love to play and move on to a new chapter in my life."

The Hamilton, Ontario, native will advise the Maple Leafs on all aspects of players throughout the franchise and serve as a scout.