SEATTLE – Thunder Bay’s Norm Maciver is being asked to help release the Kraken.
The Seattle Kraken, the National Hockey League’s newest team, on Tuesday announced the former all-star defenceman has been hired on as the expansion franchise’s director of player personnel.
It’s a unique challenge, the 56-year-old said in a release issued by the team.
"I am excited about the prospect of building something from the ground up," said MacIver. "I'm so glad to be able to help meet the challenge of building a team in an ever-evolving league."
MacIver spent parts of 12 seasons in the NHL, after starring for four years at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, where he was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award as college hockey's top player. His NHL journey took him to New York, Hartford, Edmonton, Ottawa, Pittsburgh, Winnipeg and Phoenix, where his big league career came to an end in 1998. He retired after spending one season with the International Hockey League's Houston Aeros.
MacIver’s best season came in 1992-93 with Ottawa, when he scored 17 goals and 63 points for another expansion team. He finished his NHL tour of duty with 55 goals and 285 points in 500 games. He added 14 points in 56 playoff contests.
Maciver is a former assistant general manager with the Chicago Blackhawks, where he was hired as a director of player development in 2006, advancing to become director of player personnel in 2011 and a year later, to the assistant general manager’s chair.
Maciver played a key role in the re-emergence of the Blackhawks, helping lead them to a trio of Stanley Cup championships between 2010 and 2015.
He’s always been known to give his honest opinion, one of the reason Kraken GM Ron Francis brought him on board.
"Norm was involved in Chicago's recent Cup-winning teams and brings a lot of experience and knowledge," Francis said.
"I know him from our playing days and am pleased to reunite with him. He will do a fantastic job as we build out our team."
The Kraken are scheduled to begin play next fall.
