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TORONTO - He didnt talk about the Vatican of hockey. He didnt mention the centre of the hockey universe. He shied away from dream job talk. He didnt wax on about pugnacity, testosterone, truculence, or belligerence. He didnt lay out his vision for how his Toronto Maple Leafs would play or what ailed them this past season and in seasons before. "Im not here today for big speeches, big words, big proclamations," Brendan Shanahan said Monday morning from the Air Canada Centre. "Today is my first day at work and theres a lot of work to be done." It was more than five and a half years ago that the Maple Leafs hired Brian Burke to change the "culture" of an organization which had veered further and further off the rails toward an eventual Stanley Cup. But unlike the bombastic Burke on that excitable day in Nov. 2008, the new President and alternate governor in Toronto made few bold statements or declarations. "This is the time for me to start learning about the organization from top to bottom," he said. "Its a time for me to listen, to learn and get to work and thats all thats really worked for me in my career. Its whats worked for me when I was done playing hockey and thats what I intend to do here." Tim Leiweke, the President and CEO of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment, says he hired the 45-year-old to become the leader of the hockey team in Toronto - a presence he was unfit to fill - to instill an identity, to become the culture, heart, soul and character of the organization. He spoke glowingly of Shanahans track record - both as a player and in the league office - his leadership skills as a player for 21 seasons, his first-hand familiarity with winning cultures in Detroit and New Jersey, his passion, his work ethic, his analytical skills and his knowledge of the game. And with that full faith came final authority on all hockey and business matters. "I couldnt find anyone to say anything bad about him," Leiweke said of fact-finding conversations which came to include Ken Holland, Lou Lamiorello and Luc Robitaille. "…what everyone talks about is the man fights," Leiweke said, selling his new management piece with vigour. "He fought as a player. He fought for the union (during the second NHL lockout). He fought for the game. And now he fights for the integrity of the league. Now he comes here to fight for the Leafs. And the one thing I know about Shanny is hes going to fight for us every day. He may be analytical, he may be patient, he may not knee-jerk, but in that heart beats a man that is extremely committed to winning and doing whatever is necessary." Whatever credentials Shanahan may boast as a former player (three Stanley Cups) and league disciplinarian, he lacks the same in actual front office experience - an obvious source of skepticism for the hiring. A growing trend in the NHL has seen teams sweep up former star players for management roles to only middling success. Maybe the most recent example of disappointment saw local legend Pat Lafontaine plucked for a senior position in Buffalo only to depart less than four months later. Brett Hull, also of limited experience, was brought back to Dallas and eventually named co-general manager. He lasted less than two seasons and now works in St. Louis. Those that found success in the transition typically gained experience before eventually ascending to the type of role Shanahan has inherited in Toronto. Steve Yzerman toiled in the Red Wings front office, also managing Team Canada at the Worlds and Olympics before becoming the Lightning GM. Cam Neely was a vice-president for a few years before he was promoted to team president. Joe Sakic, now the overseer of all hockey matters in Colorado, joined the club initially as an advisor and alternate governor. Because of that inexperience its difficult to project which direction Shanahan will take the Leafs. Will he try to follow Hollands philosophy in Detroit - skill over brawn - or lean in the direction of what Lamiorello built in New Jersey - a stifling defensive system - or try something different entirely? Above all, he said hed be open to new ideas, even spending his flight to Toronto reading all about the merits of Corsi and Fenwick (analytical tools for measuring the game). Learning the business side of the game under the tutelage of Gary Bettman in his past business role with the NHL, Shanahan also was keen as a player, claiming to have picked the brains of superiors like Holland, Lamoriello, Glen Sather and Jim Rutherford. "I was always curious from their perspective, the difficulties and the challenges of operating and running a team," he said. "He was like a sponge and he took it all in," Leiweke claimed. Shanahans more recent gig as the leagues head of discipline offered opportunity, additionally, at the centre of controversy - something hell become familiar with in a hurry with the Leafs. "I had a job in which everyone questioned my decisions, everybody thought they knew better than us, they second-guessed everything we did and didnt like us," Shanahan said. "So now I get to come do this." Leiweke was blunt that the Leafs pre-Shanahan were lacking in direction, lacking in identity and lacking the culture of a winner - damning with Dave Nonis seated just a short distance to his left. He wanted someone to change that, much in the way, he said, that Masai Ujiri has quickly altered the course of the Raptors - though he failed to mention good fortune in that case, notably with the unexpected post Rudy Gay-trade ascension and emphatic growth of Kyle Lowry. Burke, too, talked about culture when he first landed from Anaheim, harshly critical of a "blue and white disease" that he felt had infected the club. He tried to change that and ran out of time. He also could not deliver the nasty, black and blue squad he imagined on the day of his arrival all too long ago. Shanahan wouldnt stray down a similar path as far as bold proclamations and statements were concerned on this day. If anything, it seems he aimed to undersell and over-deliver. He wouldnt get into what his vision for the club would be, wouldnt say what went wrong this year - he didnt feel it was his place - detailing instead his immediate plans, which included a full review of the coaching staff, roster, management team, and farm system, all to be done with his standing general manager, Nonis. "It would be premature for me to tell you right now where were going to go," Shanahan said. "Were going to work together to try to find the right answers together," Nonis added. "If we have questions or concerns were going to work them out, but at the end of the day Brendans the boss. He runs this team." How the dynamic between Shanahan and Nonis plays out remains of some intrigue and uncertainty. Its uncertain how much of a say Shanahan will have in the day-to-day operations of the team and more broadly speaking, how strong an influence hell exert over the bigger picture and to what effect. What direction he wants to take the Leafs wasnt immediately clear nor was how that approach will jive with that of Nonis, who helped build the current group, formerly as the No. 2 under Burke and eventual No. 1 until Mondays present. In terms of shifting the identity and culture of the Leafs, Shanahan will have to start with Randy Carlyle, quickly determining whether he is, in fact, the right head coach to guide the push forward. Though Carlyle found some success with the group in the lockout-shortened 2013, his message never seemed to hit home this season, culminating in all too familiar collapse. Both Shanahan and Nonis said all the right things as to Carlyles prowess as a coach, but neither would rightly commit to his future. Beyond the urgent matter of coaching - and who might be a suitable replacement - is a roster full of questions - be it with the core group and bundle of free agents - and a draft and development system that needs refreshment and considerable improvement. A lot, quite simply, lies on the plate of the new boss with little time to learn on the job. "Winning is just a very simple solution," he said. "Were not going to win a game sitting up here today. We have to get results." Cheap Jerseys From China . -- Sami Salo joked that as the shootout went on and on, one thing went through his mind: "Youve got to tie up your skates. China Jerseys Stitched . 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Fake China Jerseys .C. -- Panthers offensive tackle Jordan Gross is saying goodbye to the NFL after 11 seasons.CHICAGO -- Reto Berra had the jitters before his first NHL game. It just didnt show when he hit the ice. Berra made 42 saves and Kris Russell scored at 1:32 of overtime, lifting the Calgary Flames to a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday night. "I was really nervous, but right before the game when I was sitting in here," Berra said, "I just said, Go out, play your game and have fun. You have nothing to lose. "I put that excitement and nerves into positive energy." Russells shot from the blue line clanked off the crossbar and past Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford, ending Calgarys 10-game losing streak in Chicago. The Flames won at the United Center for the first time since March 2008. "I saw a body in front and tried to get a hard shot off," Russell said. "I dont think hes seen it. Fortunately it went in." "The last few games weve played well but havent got rewarded," Russell added. "Tonight, we had a grinder-style game. Especially coming into a barn like this, I hope we can grab some momentum off this." Mike Cammalleri and Curtis Glencross scored in regulation for the Flames. Calgarys T.J. Galiardi missed on a second-period penalty shot. Chicagos Marian Hossa scored a power-play goal with 4:19 left in the third period to tie it at 2. Patrick Kane also scored for the Blackhawks, who had won three in a row. Crawford made 27 saves. The 26-year-old Berra was recalled from Abbotsford of the AHL on Saturday after the Flames waived Joey MacDonald. The 6-foot-4 Swiss goaltender was acquired in the trade that sent defenceman Jay Bouwmeester to St. Louis last April. Berra was sharp against the Blackhawks, making a handful of point-blank and flashy stops. "Im very proud for Reto," said Flames coach Bob Hartley, who has coached in Berras home country. "He played tonight the same way I saw him play a full year in Switzerland. Obviously, its not the same calibre, but the poise he showed throughout the game. "He never got rattled. The perfect control on every shot. The two shots that beat him were perfect shots. Great win." After a slow start this season offensively, Chicago had scored 24 times in its previous five games. But the Stanley Cup champions showed little of that explosive skill and tempo against Calgary.dddddddddddd Although Chicago fired 44 shots at Berra, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville thought there werent enough quality opportunities. "We did put pucks at him, but we didnt get enough rebounds and we didnt get enough traffic," Quenneville said. "Certainly, he was pretty good at controlling those rebounds tonight as well." The Blackhawks outshot the Flames 18-11 in the scoreless first. Berra coolly swept away Chicagos routine chances and turned in a couple of tough stops, including a quick glove save on Andrew Shaw with 5:00 left in the period. Calgarys best chance came with 1:28 left, but Dennis Widemans shot capping a 3-on-2 break was smothered by Crawford. Galiardi was awarded his penalty shot -- the first for Calgary and first against Chicago this season -- at 4:06 of the second after he was hooked from behind on a breakaway by Hossa. He fired wide on the attempt. Kane opened the scoring, beating Berra on Chicagos 23rd shot at 6:25 of the second. After cutting across the top of the Calgary zone, Kane moved to the left faceoff circle and wristed a shot through a screen that fooled Berra on the short side. Cammalleri tied it just 50 seconds later. Left open at the edge of the crease, Cammalleri was able to deflect Widemans shot from the right point in midair and past Crawford. Cammalleri has seven points in seven games since returning from an upper-body injury that sidelined him for the start of the season. Glencross gave Calgary a 2-1 lead at 2:16 of the third on a shot that sailed past Crawfords glove, clanked off the right post and landed in the net. Glencross cut in from left wing and gained a step on Chicago defenceman Sheldon Brookbank. He fired from the circle and Crawford fanned on a glove save attempt. NOTES: Calgary also recalled D Chad Billins from Abbotsford, but he was a healthy scratch on Sunday. ... The Blackhawks were set to leave for Washington following the game, and will visit the White House on Monday to be recognized by President Barack Obama for their 2013 Stanley Cup title. ... Chicago C Michal Handzus missed his fifth game with an upper-body injury, but has resumed skating. ... Sitting out for Calgary were C Lee Stempniak (foot), D Mark Giordano (ankle) and D Chris Breen (abdominal). ' ' '