The Ottawa Senators appointed longtime NBC broadcaster Pierre McGuire as their senior vice president of player development on Monday.
“I’m super-pumped. We’re going to have some fun,” McGuire told the Ottawa Sun. “I see my role as being there to help (Senators general manager Pierre Dorion), helping the hockey operations department, player development and being somebody who can help the organization. It’s important to have lots of information when you make decisions and I’d like to think I’d be very good at gathering information.
“The biggest thing is just bring my experience and knowledge of the League. I’ve been in the League for over 30 years. Over the last 23 years, I’ve had pretty much unfettered access to the League in terms of players and management decisions. That’s something that’s pretty helpful. I felt my conversations with (team owner Eugene Melnyk) and Pierre have been very fruitful and I’ve enjoyed them very much.”
McGuire, 59, previously worked with the Senators as an assistant coach during the 1995-96 season. He also held that role with the Pittsburgh Penguins during their Stanley Cup season in 1991-92 and served as an assistant coach, assistant general manager and head coach of the Hartford Whalers.
McGuire shifted gears and served as a color commentator on Montreal Canadiens’ radio broadcasts in 1997. He then transitioned to television with TSN in 2002 before joining NBC Sports as an analyst in 2006.
“On behalf of the entire Senators organization, I would like to welcome Pierre McGuire back to Ottawa,” Melnyk said. “We are excited to add Pierre to our hockey management group. His experience will be instrumental as we continue to build an elite team. Pierre’s knowledge of the game and its players is highly regarded and I am confident that he will positively assist our team as it progresses to the next level.”
The Senators missed the playoffs for the fourth straight season in 2020-21 after posting a 23-28-5 record.
–Field Level Media