Rick Dudley joins Montreal Canadiens franchise as new Assistant General Manager -NHL Update
In what could be said to be a expected and at the same time shocking move, Toronto Maple Leafs’ director of player personnel, Rick Dudley, joined the Montreal Canadiens franchise as their new assistant general manager on May 25, 2012.
Newly appointed general manager and former Chicago Blackhawks assistant GM, Marc Bergevin, was the one to make the announcement and is said to be the one to have brought Dudley on board, otherwise, it was near to impossible.
“Rick Dudley is a very knowledgeable and proficient hockey executive and we are pleased to welcome him in our organization in the position of assistant general manager. Rick has been actively involved at the management level in the NHL for many years and
is one of the league’s most respected executives. An outstanding talent evaluator, he has extensive experience as a scout. The success he enjoyed at all levels throughout his career speaks volume of his expertise. We are thrilled to have both Rick and Larry
Carrière as assistant general managers for several seasons to come,” said Bergevin.
One thing that Dudley will not be able to share from his extensive knowledge about the league and especially what Toronto Maple Leafs plan on doing during the offseason is there plans about the upcoming entry draft.
Dudley has reportedly been sworn to secrecy by Toronto Maple Leafs’ general manager, Brian Burke, after he was allowed permission to talk to Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin.
As Montreal focuses on reorganising and rebuilding the team in each and every aspect, hiring Dudley is seen to be a welcomed step by hockey gurus. Seeing how he has worked as the GM of Atlanta Thrashers back in 2010-2011 before they were relocated along
with being a former coach and enjoying positions with teams like Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Ottawa Senators and Chicago Blackhawks, Dudley is definitely what the Canadiens need.
It will be interesting to see how Dudley and Bergevin work together in improving the Montreal Canadiens club which has failed miserable during the past few seasons, especially this year as they failed to get anywhere near the playoff line.
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