Craig Heisinger named new Winnipeg NHL Franchise SVP, Director HO/ Assistant GM –NHL Update
Along with Kevin Cheveldayoff being named as the new General Manager and Executive Vice President for the newly relocated National Hockey League’s (NHL) franchise from Atlanta to Winnipeg, Manitoba, Craig Heisinger has been announced to be the Senior Vice
President and Director of Hockey Operations/Assistant General Manager of the team.
The two top key positions of the new team have been filled and now the exploration for a new head coach has also begun, currently underway.
"In my experience I've never worked with anyone who cares more or who has worked harder at succeeding at the game of hockey, than Craig Heisinger", said True North Sports and Entertainment group chairman, Mark Chipman.
Heisinger was the General Manager of Winnipeg’s minor league team, Manitoba Moose, for over 15 years, which was associated with the NHL franchise, Vancouver Canucks, before merging into the major league.
He is extremely happy to be reunited with Cheveldayoff as they have been associates in the hockey world for quite a while now.
Other than reuniting, Heisinger knows about what sort of talents Cheveldayoff possesses so the two are expected to have a good chemistry running the team.
“When I first met Chevy (Cheveldayoff) 25 years ago, I questioned his eye for talent”, said Heisinger. “He brought his best friend Jeff Odgers to training camp with him. Jeff couldn’t cross over (his skating was awful) at the time. Chevy was only marginally
ahead of him”.
The new Winnipeg franchise, which was relocated after a successful deal between True North Sports and Entertainment group and Atlanta Thrashers’ owners, is yet to be given a name.
The team will be kept the same according to sources and no changes will be made at the moment besides the already laid off management.
After the acquisition of the franchise, Mark Chipman decided to relieve former Atlanta Thrashers’ General Manager, Rick Dudley, of his services and not bring him along in the transition which he accepted.
The upcoming season will be the real test for the new management if their decisions were up to par or just downright unplanned. Winnipeg has been anticipating a major team for over 15 years and playing the right cards will ensure success and fame for the
team.
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