Keefe was coaching an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena for the first time since being fired by the Maple Leafs on May 9. Having been hired by the Devils 14 days later, he’d faced his former team twice this season, both at Prudential Center.

Editor’s note: This interview was originally published on Dec. 10. On Thursday, Sheldon Keefe will coach in Toronto for the first time since joining the New Jersey Devils. NEWARK, N.J. — The slogan that lines the dressing room wall of Sheldon Keefe’s New Jersey Devils team reads: Compete. Commit. Connect.

The Toronto Maple Leafs wasted no time honoring their former head coach Sheldon Keefe as they hosted the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night. During the first TV timeout, a video tribute played on the Scotiabank Arena jumbotron, celebrating Keefe’s nine seasons with the organization and thanking him for his contributions.