John Chayka

John Chayka (born June 9, 1989) is a Canadian hockey executive who is currently the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was previously the general manager of the Arizona Coyotes. Prior to joining the Coyotes, Chayka was part of an analytics company called Stathletes, and completed his education at the University of Western Ontario's Ivey Business School.

Career In May 2016, Chayka became the youngest general manager in NHL history, at 26, when he was hired to be the general manager of the Arizona Coyotes. The Coyotes posted a 131–147–38 record under his four seasons as general manager. The franchise also clinched their first playoff berth since 2012 during this period. Arizona expressed displeasure in Chayka's resignation.

Chayka was known for his frequent trades in Arizona. Notable transactions during Chayka's tenure with Arizona included trading for multi-time All-Star Phil Kessel and former MVP Taylor Hall (both in 2019), future All-Star Darcy Kuemper, and trading away the seventh-overall pick in the 2017 NHL draft (for Derek Stepan and Antti Raanta). Media and fan reception to Chayka's moves as general manager were largely mixed, although this is also recognized as a time of great turmoil within the Coyotes franchise, which would suspend operations a few seasons after Chayka's departure. Chayka and the Coyotes were later revealed to have hosted a private scouting combine for draft prospects, which is strictly forbidden by the NHL.

On May 3, 2026, Chayka was hired as the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He is the third youngest GM in Maple Leafs history behind Kyle Dubas, and Gord Stellick.

Chayka and his wife Kathryn, through their company JKC Restaurants, own 50 Wendy's and 5 Tim Hortons franchises.