The Pittsburgh Penguins announced on Friday that Ron Francis, a Hall of Fame forward and longtime architect of modern NHL franchises, has been appointed special advisor of hockey operations.
A Legend Returns to Pittsburgh
Francis, 63, brings a wealth of experience that spans three decades as a player, general manager and executive. He won two Stanley Cups with the Penguins in 1991 and 1992 and ranks fifth in NHL history for career points and assists.
After serving as the inaugural general manager of the Seattle Kraken for five seasons, during which the team made the playoffs only once, Francis stepped down on April 9. His departure came after the Kraken missed the postseason for the fourth time in five years.
Before his tenure in Seattle, Francis spent 12 years with the Carolina Hurricanes, rising to the role of general manager from 2014 to 2018. He also enjoyed an eight‑year stint with the Penguins as a player, contributing 119 points in the 1995‑96 season and earning the Selke Trophy as the league’s top defensive forward in 1994‑95.
“Ron Francis has a deep affinity for the city of Pittsburgh and the Penguins,” Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas said in the announcement. “He cherishes his time spent as a player with the Penguins and is an outstanding ambassador for the team and the city.”
Dubas added that Francis’s playing pedigree, management background and intimate knowledge of the organization will provide valuable perspective as the Penguins navigate upcoming roster decisions and strategic initiatives.
The move signals the Penguins’ intent to blend continuity with fresh insight, leveraging Francis’s reputation as one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players, a distinction he received during the League’s centennial celebration in 2017.
Francis, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2008, will now lend his expertise to the front office, focusing on player development and scouting while remaining a visible representative of the franchise in the community.