It was announced Friday morning that after 8 years as President of Hockey Operations, Edmonton Oilers’ Kevin Lowe has been relieved of his hockey related duties. Lowe will still work in the Oilers organization, as it’s believed he will retain a role in the Oilers Entertainment Group.
BREAKING: Former POHO Kevin Lowe moves out of hockey dep’t in EDM, retains role on business side of Oilers Entertainment Group.
— Mark Spector (@SportsnetSpec) April 24, 2015
The news wasn’t all that surprising, as reports earlier in the week suggested that the Oilers were set to hire Peter Chiarelli – although his official title is yet to be known.
Although the Oilers have found themselves at the bottom of the league for years now, it’s important to recognize Lowe’s dedication to the organization. Lowe was drafted by the Oilers 21st overall in 1979 and played 14 seasons with the club. After retiring in 1998, he immediately joined the Oilers as assistant coach. Only one year later was he promoted to head coach. That didn’t last long, however, as one year later he was promoted to general manager. For 9 years Lowe would remain the general manager of the Oilers until he was promoted to President of Hockey Operations in 2009. Currently, April of 2015, Lowe has been relieved of his duties as President of Hockey Operation, only to find another job in the Oilers organization working in the Oilers Entertainment Group.
You would think after recent years of struggles, Lowe would take this opportunity to find a new job with a different team. That’s not the case, as Lowe has admirable dedication to the Oilers organization.
The Edmonton Oilers are set to announce the hiring of Peter Chiarelli in a press conference later today. Chiarelli was GM of the Boston Bruins from 2006 until he was let go at the end of this season. During his time in Boston he built the Bruins into a Team that won the Stanley Cup in 2011, made it back to the Finals in 2013, and won the Presidents Trophy in 2013-14.
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