Sudarshan Maharaj has been promoted to the position of Director of Goaltending by the Ducks. Moreover, the club has appointed Tim Army as Assistant Coach, Peter Budaj as Anaheim’s Goaltending Coach, and Julien Tremblay has been elevated to NHL Player Development. These new additions finalize Anaheim’s coaching staff for the 2024-25 season, featuring Head Coach Greg Cronin, Assistant Coaches Tim Army, Richard Clune, and Brent Thompson, Goaltending Coach Peter Budaj, and Video Coordinator Austin Violette.

Maharaj, who is 60 years old, has been appointed to supervise every aspect related to goaltending within the organization. This includes coaching, development, and scouting. Both Peter Budaj, the Ducks Goaltending Coach, and Jeff Glass, the San Diego Gulls Goaltending Coach, will now report to Maharaj while assisting in achieving the club’s goaltending goals.

In the upcoming 2024-25 season, Maharaj will be entering his 12th season with Anaheim. He has been serving as Anaheim’s Goaltending Coach for the past seven seasons (2017-24). Maharaj initially joined the organization in 2013-14 as a consultant, focusing on the club’s AHL affiliates in San Diego and Norfolk for four seasons (2013-17). In 2023, Maharaj was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but fortunately, he is now cancer-free despite the slim chances of survival. He underwent a major surgery that involved the removal of his entire gallbladder, parts of his small intestines, pancreas, and stomach. Additionally, he underwent 11 rounds of chemotherapy and faced numerous other challenges throughout his courageous battle.

Maharaj, hailing from Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, dedicated a total of eight seasons to the New York Islanders, serving as Goaltending Coach during 2003-2006 and 2009-2012. Additionally, he played a key role in establishing the National Goaltending Development Program for Hockey Canada during 2005-2007. Maharaj also lent his expertise as Goaltending Consultant to the Korean national team, aiding their preparations for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games.

After serving as the Goaltending Coach for the Colorado Eagles, the Colorado Avalanche’s main development team in the American Hockey League (AHL), Budaj, aged 41, has now joined Anaheim. He became part of the Eagles during the 2021-22 season.

Budaj, who was chosen by Colorado in the 2001 NHL Draft as the 63rd overall pick in the second round, enjoyed a successful professional career spanning 17 years. Throughout his time in the NHL, he played for the Avalanche, Montreal Canadiens, Los Angeles Kings, and Tampa Bay Lightning, accumulating a total of 368 games. Budaj showcased his skills by achieving a record of 158 wins, 132 losses, and 40 ties, while also securing 18 shutouts. His impressive performance included a 2.70 goals-against average (GAA) and a save percentage (SV%) of .904.

Budaj, hailing from Banska Bystrica, Slovakia, also had a successful career in the AHL, playing in 241 games and achieving a record of 105-90-34 with teams like the Hershey Bears, St. John’s IceCaps, Syracuse Crunch, and Ontario Reign. In the 2015-2016 season, he was recognized as the AHL’s Best Goaltender after leading the league in various categories, including wins (42-14-5), goals against average (1.75), save percentage (.932), and shutouts (9). On the international stage, Budaj represented Slovakia in three Winter Olympics (2006, 2010, 2014), as well as two World Championships (2008, 2010), two World Junior Championships (2001, 2002), and the 2000 U-18 World Championship.

With over 35 years of coaching experience, Army, 61, has an extensive background in the field. He spent 15 years as an Assistant Coach in the NHL and another 14 years as a Head Coach in the AHL and NCAA. From 1993-1997, Army served as an Assistant Coach for Anaheim during the club’s early years. He also worked as an Assistant Coach for Washington from 1997-2002 and later with Colorado from 2011-2017.

In two separate periods as Head Coach in the AHL, the native of Providence, R.I. has achieved a record of 256 wins, 204 losses, and 97 overtime losses, amounting to a winning percentage of .547 in a total of 557 games. From 2018 to 2023, Army served as the Head Coach of the Iowa Wild (AHL), leading the team to a record of 157 wins, 115 losses, and 45 overtime losses in 317 games. Under his guidance, the team made two playoff appearances in the seasons when the Calder Cup Playoffs were held, with the 2019 and 2020 playoffs being canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, Army also held the position of Head Coach for the Portland Pirates of the AHL from 2002 to 2005. During his tenure, the team achieved a record of 99 wins, 89 losses, and 52 overtime losses in 240 games, reaching the playoffs in two out of three seasons.

In 2017-18, Army worked as an Assistant Coach for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL, filling the gap between his time with the Avalanche and Wild. Prior to that, Army held the position of Head Coach at Providence College, his alma mater, for a span of six seasons from 2005-11. He initially started his coaching career as an Assistant Coach at Providence College, where he served from 1987-1993, following a year of playing professional hockey in 1985-86.

Army served as an Assistant Coach for Team USA in three World Championships (1994, 1996, and 2013) and the 2004 World Cup on an international level. Additionally, he had the honor of being the Head Coach at the 2011 Ivan Hlinka Memorial. In 2023-24, he took on the role of Associate Coach for China during their 2026 Olympic qualifying.

In the 1981 NHL Draft, Army was chosen by Colorado in the ninth round, specifically as the 171st overall pick. He dedicated four years of his college life to playing hockey at Providence College. Notably, in his final season, he led the team as captain and guided them to victory in the Friars’ first-ever Hockey East championship, subsequently reaching the 1985 NCAA Finals. Over the course of his collegiate career, he accumulated an impressive total of 178 points, scoring 71 goals and 107 assists in 151 games. His outstanding performance during his senior year earned him a spot as a finalist for the prestigious Hobey Baker Award. Additionally, he was honored with selections to both the All-Hockey East First Team and the ACHA East First Team All-American. In recognition of his remarkable achievements, he was inducted into the Providence Hall of Fame in 1997.