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Sports Desk • Hockey

John Chayka

John Chayka is a Canadian hockey executive known for becoming the youngest general manager in NHL history when he was hired by the Arizona Coyotes in 2016.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

John Chayka is a Canadian hockey executive who became the youngest general manager in NHL history. He is known for his analytics-driven approach and roles with the Arizona Coyotes and Toronto Maple Leafs.

What it is

John Chayka, born in Jordan Station, Ontario, in 1989, studied at the Richard Ivey School of Business before co-founding Stathletes, a hockey analytics company. He joined the Arizona Coyotes in an analytics role, was promoted to general manager in 2016 at age 26, and later became president of hockey operations in 2017.

Why it matters

Chayka's rise highlighted the growing influence of analytics in NHL management. His hiring as the youngest GM ever marked a shift toward data-driven decision-making, and his subsequent role with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2026 reinforced his place in Canadian hockey leadership.

Key details

Chayka was general manager of the Arizona Coyotes from 2016 to 2020. NHL reporting in 2026 stated he was hired as general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He co-founded Stathletes, which shaped his reputation in hockey operations.

In short

  • Youngest general manager in NHL history, hired by Arizona Coyotes in 2016.
  • Co-founded Stathletes, a hockey analytics company.
  • Studied at the Richard Ivey School of Business.
  • Reported as Toronto Maple Leafs general manager in 2026.
Canadian angle

Chayka is Canadian, was born in Ontario, and built his career through Canadian hockey and business networks before moving into NHL team management.

Quick questions

Who is John Chayka?
John Chayka is a Canadian hockey executive known for being the youngest GM in NHL history and for his analytics-based approach.
What team did John Chayka run?
He was general manager of the Arizona Coyotes and later reported as general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2026.
What is Stathletes?
Stathletes is a hockey analytics company co-founded by Chayka, used early in his career.

Sources

  1. NHL.com — https://www.nhl.com/news/mats-sundin-john-chayka-hired-by-toronto-maple-leafs
    Supports: Reports that John Chayka was hired as general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2026.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Chayka
    Supports: Biographical details including birth date, birthplace, education, and Arizona Coyotes roles.
  3. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/17174808
    Supports: His 2016 appointment as Arizona Coyotes general manager and his analytics background.
  4. MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference — https://www.sloansportsconference.com/people/john-chayka
    Supports: His role with Stathletes, Coyotes front-office positions, and education.
  5. Sportsnet — https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/looking-back-on-new-maple-leafs-gm-john-chaykas-tenure-in-arizona/
    Supports: Summary of his Coyotes tenure, analytics reputation, and later Maple Leafs appointment.