The puck will drop in Las Vegas to begin the 2017-18 season.
While the team has not yet been named, the organization is starting to take shape. Majority owner Bill Foley tabbed George McPhee as his general manager on July 13 and named others to front office roles in the following weeks.
Keep it here for the latest on developments on the Las Vegas NHL team’s organizational structure.
Majority owner – Bill Foley
Foley spearheaded Black Knight Sports & Entertainment’s effort to bring the NHL to Las Vegas. Foley was joined by Joe and Gavin Maloof, the former owners of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, to make up the yet to be named team’s ownership group.
More on Foley via Vegas Is Hockey:
Although he grew up primarily in Texas, Bill spent his elementary school years living in Ottawa, Canada. There he developed a love for hockey, often playing in street pick-up games with other neighborhood kids. His passion for the sport continued to grow over the years and eventually led him to his vision to bring the first-ever NHL hockey team in Las Vegas.
General manager – George McPhee
Foley announced the hiring of McPhee on July 13. McPhee spent 17 years as general manager of the Washington Capitals, from 1997 to 2014.
McPhee worked as an advisor under New York Islanders GM Garth Snow for the 2015-16 season.
“I really wanted to get back in. I really wanted to manage again,” said McPhee. “I thought this would be a great place to be able to do it, to start from the ground floor and do all the hirings and build the organization.”
Assistant general manager – Kelly McCrimmon
McCrimmon will finally make his move to the NHL to work alongside McPhee in Las Vegas.
The 55-year-old has owned the Western Hockey League’s Brandon Wheat Kings since 1992 and served as the club’s general manager since 1989 and head coach since the 1990-91 season. The Wheat Kings captured the WHL title, the Ed Chynoweth Cup, in his final season behind the bench.
“He’s earned the right to come to the NHL,” McPhee said upon McCrimmon’s hiring on August 2. “He’s as good a hockey man as there is out there.”
Senior vice-president – Murray Craven
Craven has worked alongside Foley throughout the NHL’s expansion process. Read more about his role here.
Director of hockey operations – Misha Donskov
Donskov was tabbed as director of hockey operations on August 8. He joined Foley’s group from Hockey Canada’s Men’s National Team, where he served as manager, hockey operations/analytics & video and was recently appointed assistant coach/hockey operations.
Director of player development – Wil Nichol
Nichol worked under McPhee in Washington as a scout beginning in 2011.
Director of amateur scouting – Scott Luce
Via VegasIsHockey.com:
Luce joined the Las Vegas team after spending 14 years with the Florida Panthers as a scout and the Director of Player Personnel. Prior to joining the Panthers, Luce was with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he was a scout for three years. Luce also worked for the Ottawa Senators as a scout and was the Vice President of Sales for Branches Hockey Sticks.
Director of hockey administration – Katy Boettinger
Another addition to the front office who arrives via the Washington Capitals, Boettinger previously served as the club’s director of team operations.
Director of goaltending and NHL goaltending coach – Dave Prior
Prior worked under McPhee as the Capitals goaltending coach from 1997 to 2014. He has spent time working with the the Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, San Jose Sharks, and Winnipeg Jets.
Director of hockey legal affairs – Andrew Lugerner
Via VegasIsHockey.com:
Prior to joining the Las Vegas NHL team, Lugerner was an associate at Latham & Watkins, a global law firm based in New York City.
Director of European Scouting – Vojtech Kucera
Kucera is a familiar face for GM McPhee as a longtime European scout for the Capitals, beginning in the 1999-00 season.
Special Advisor To Hockey Operations – David Conte
Conte spent 31 years with the New Jersey Devils, during which time the club won three Stanley Cups. He joined the Devils in 1984-85 as a scout and took over the department in 1993. He served as vice president of hockey operations from 2006 to 2015, after which his contract with the Devils was not renewed.
Team President – Kerry Bubolz
Bubolz joins the Las Vegas hockey group after spending 13 years with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Bubolz has servved as the team’s president of business operations for the past two years.
Bubolz is no stranger to hockey, having also worked with with Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League during his stint in Ohio.
