The New York Rangers have hired former player Mike Grier as the team’s new hockey operations advisor. General manager Chris Drury made the announcement on Wednesday.
OFFICIAL: #NYR President and General Manager Chris Drury has announced that Mike Grier has been named Hockey Operations Advisor.
Full details: https://t.co/bqHXSg1tvi pic.twitter.com/6GBFqbRMdT
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) May 19, 2021
Mike Grier Names Rangers Hockey Ops Advisor
Grier will assist with on-ice decisions and off-ice player development in his new role. The Detroit native will also help with minor league players from the AHL Hartford Wolf Pack.
The 14-year NHL veteran has filled many roles since retiring after the 2010-11 season. He was most recently an assistant coach with the New Jersey Devils during the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons.
Grier played for the Edmonton Oilers, Washington Capitals, Buffalo Sabres and San Jose Sharks. He totaled 162 goals and 221 assists for 383 points in 1,060 career games. The St. Louis Blues originally drafted Grier in the ninth round, 219th overall of the 1993 NHL Draft.
The forward represented the United States in 1995 at the IIHF World Junior Championships while a member of Boston University. He also played for Team USA at the 2004 IIHF World Championships, where he helped his team win a bronze medal.
He’s not the first Grier to be involved in player development, as his father, Bobby Grier, worked for the NFL’s Houston Texans and New England Patriots.
What it Means
The front-office remodel of the Rangers continues with Grier’s hiring. Him and Drury were both teammates with the Sabres and they were formidable penalty-killing group. Drury is trying to put his own mark on the franchise since being hired to replace his old boss Jeff Gorton.
It’s a good look to have a former NHL veteran that carved out a long career in the development department. More teams are also broadening their horizons when it comes to their hiring practices. The Devils recently added Meghan Duggan to player development and Hayley Wickenheiser has been part of the Toronto Maple Leafs front office.
