Jason Spezza was named assistant general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday.
The 40-year-old will report to president of hockey operations Kyle Dubas and assist management in all hockey operations departments.
Dubas was hired by the Penguins on June 1 after five seasons as general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, where Spezza was a special assistant to the GM before resigning May 19, when Dubas was told he would not be returning to Toronto.
“After a decorated playing career, Jason fully immersed himself on the management side of the game learning all facets of hockey operations this past season while with Toronto,” Dubas said. “He showed tremendous work ethic, curiosity and ability to build relationships throughout all departments at the team facility. His move from the roster to the front office staff also helped make the hockey operations department, coaching staff and playing roster a more cohesive and collaborative unit.
“We are thrilled to have Jason join the Pittsburgh Penguins today as he will add a great perspective to our club, and we are excited to watch him reach his potential in management.”
Spezza retired as a player May 29, 2022, after 19 seasons as an NHL forward, the last three with the Maple Leafs. He worked with all hockey operations departments in Toronto, including player personnel, player development, minor league operations and hockey research and development, helping build the team that won its first playoff series since 2004, a six-game victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. His playing career ended with 995 points (363 goals, 632 assists) in 1,248 games for the Ottawa Senators, Dallas Stars and Maple Leafs. He had 76 points (28 goals, 48 assists) in 97 playoff games and helped Ottawa advance to the 2007 Stanley Cup Final, a five-game loss to the Anaheim Ducks.
Dubas replaced Brian Burke, who was fired as Penguins president with general manager Ron Hextall on April 14. Pittsburgh went 40-31-11 this season and missed the playoffs after qualifying each of the previous 16, which was the longest streak in the NHL. Dubas is interim GM until at least July, when a formal search for Hextall’s replacement will begin.
Spezza was teammates with Penguins player development staff member Matt Cullen with the Senators (2009-10) and hockey operations adviser Trevor Daley with the Stars (2014-15).
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