On Wednesday afternoon, the Columbus Blue Jackets hired Craig Patrick as the senior advisor of hockey operations.
Job duties will include advising Columbus general manager Scott Howson on trades and free agent signings, as well as assisting with prospect evaluation.
During Patrick’s tenure in the National Hockey League, he has held front office positions with the New York Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins. As a player, he wore the sweater of five different teams including the Washington Capitals and the St. Louis Blues.
For 17 years, Patrick was the general manager and executive vice president for the Penguins. He was responsible for drafting superstars Jaromir Jagr, Marc-Andre Fleury, Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby. Pittsburgh won a pair of Stanley Cups under Patrick’s management.
Inducted into Hall of Fame in 2001, Patrick, 65, served as the assistant coach and assistant general manager for coach Herb Brooks on the 1980 United States Olympic team that will forever be associated with the Miracle on Ice. He was the general manager in 2002 when the US team took home the silver medal.
Thrice selected by Sporting News as the NHL Executive of the Year, Patrick’s wealth of experience and success in the business will undoubtedly make him a chief consultant for the struggling teams.
Patrick has also become a viable option to take over the reigns of general manager if the Blue Jackets choose to hand Howson a pink slip before season’s end.
No comments:
Post a Comment