Just before the 2023-24 regular season, the Ottawa Senators have made another front-office move. Former Edmonton Oilers Special Advisor Steve Staios joins another Canadian team as Ottawa’s President of Hockey Operations. This is a great hire for Ottawa, a team hoping to compete in the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
The #sens have appointed Steve Staois as president of hockey operations.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) September 29, 2023
Steve Staios Hired as Ottawa’s President of Hockey Ops
After resigning from Edmontons’ Special Advisor role on Friday, Staios clinches a promotion with Ottawa. New owner Michael Andlauer brought stability and optimism to Ottawa. Now, Andlauer and fans hope the addition of Staios will help the Senators continue to shed their previous downfalls and earn a playoff spot this postseason.
Staios Brings a Winning Staff Combination to Ottawa
The new duo of Senators’ Owner and President of Hockey Ops is a promising one. The two have maintained a close friendship and have already proved to be a successful unit. With the Hamilton Bulldogs, Andlauer and Staios have won two championships together. Andlauer cites this previous experience with Staios as a factor in this decision: “[I have worked with Steve for many years and know first-hand that he will strengthen our team with his hockey acumen, attention to detail, commitment to excellence and enthusiasm for the game and its players.”
Staios also brings experience as a Player Development Advisor for the Toronto Maple Leafs. After only two years in this post, Staios was promoted to the Leafs’ manager of Player Development. After that, Staios moved to support the coaching staff after the Head Coach left in 2015.
Ottawa’s new President of Hockey Operations also worked as Manager of Team Canada for the 2019 World Juniors Team. As a player, Staios won two gold medals with this team in 2003 and 2004 and one silver medal in 2008. Afterwards, Staios had a 16-year-long career as a defenceman in NHL.
Main photo by: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
