Flames name Don Maloney VP of hockey ops
New vice-president of hockey operations has far-reaching managerial background
Don Maloney knows the daily grind that faces Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving during the National Hockey League season.
As the executive vice-president, general manager and alternate governor of the Arizona Coyotes up until last summer, he was in Treliving’s shoes and living it himself.
Signing players, balancing contracts, player and coach relations, scouting, media requests, trade negotiations, owner and sponsorship needs — that’s all part of the deal.
It’s also why an NHL team’s internal structure is so critical, hence Thursday’s news that Maloney, who was previously the Flames’ pro scout, was promoted to vicepresident of hockey operations.
“It’s so all-encompassing and such a time commitment,” said Maloney of the general manager’s role. “It’s too much, in my opinion, for one person alone. Twenty years ago, Cliff Fletcher could have run the whole show. The payroll was $5 million and you could have done whatever the heck you wanted. Now all of the other facets … I think most organizations have more of a team approach.
“I think you need more than one person making decisions out there.”
Maloney, of course, will still report to Treliving whom he worked closely with during his time in Arizona.
Brian Burke remains the president of hockey operations, overseeing the entire team.
The Flames also announced a few other bits of news, including the re-signing of assistant general manager Craig Conroy and Brad Pascall. Pascall is the general manager of the Flames’ AHL affiliate Stockton Heat.
Derek MacKinnon is the director of pro personnel while Rob Sumner and Fred Parker are assistant directors of amateur coating, working under director of amateur scouting Tod Button.
Meanwhile, Chris Snow’s new role — director of hockey analysis — is more streamlined to reflect the changing landscape of advanced statistics.
“With Brian having such great experience in all areas, his input is invaluable,” said the 58-year-old Maloney, who still resides in Scottsdale, Ariz. “Craig has such a good feel for today’s player and how they think and what is needed to win. Brad Pascall does a real nice job with the minor league team. Chris Snow is a very important part of this staff and his analytic work and evaluates the game right now.
“They’re all good minds. And not everyone gets along. We can have our arguments and disagreements…but that’ s our approach and I don’t think you can have enough people that are trying to figure out how to get that Cup back to Calgary.”
On Thursday, Maloney was calling from Plymouth, Mich., the site of the World Junior Summer Showcase where the Flames have six prospects competing which is one example of how his role will change in the upcoming season.
Last year, when he was let go by Arizona and hired by Calgary in the summer, he was primarily focused on pro scouting and was assigned to watch other NHL clubs.
The new role should see him around the Saddledome more often, in Stockton evaluating players, and spending more time on player development.
Prior to joining the Coyotes in 2007, Maloney had spent the previous 10 seasons as a member of the New York Rangers’ front office. His most recent gig was the team’s vicepresident of player personnel and assistant general manager.
“It’s a little more involvement, which is great,” he said.
“This is purely a hockey position and it’s exciting for me. It’s a neat position and it’s a good job for where I’m at in my life right now.”
Some minor league news ... The Flames extended the contract of Stockton head coach Ryan Huska and re-signed assistant coach Domenic Pittis, goalie coach Colin Zulianello, head equipment manager Peter Bureau and strength and conditioning coach Alan Selby … They also promoted ECHL head coach Cail MacLean as an assistant coach with the Heat and added head athletic trainer James Borrelli, video analyst and team services Kohl Schultz and assistant equipment manager Mitch MacLeod.