Vaughn Karpan file

What: Golden Knights director of player personnel

Age :56

Hometown: Flin Flon, Manitoba

Education: B.A. University of Manitoba, 1985

Playing experience: Forward, University of Manitoba (1983-85); forward, Canadian National Team (1983-88)

Coaching experience: Assistant, Surrey (B.C.) Eagles (1992-93)

Professional experience: Amateur scout, director of amateur scouting Winnipeg Jets/ Arizona Coyotes 1993-2005; amateur scout, professional scout, director of professional scouting, Montreal Canadiens 2005-2016; director of player personnel, Golden Knights 2016-present

Family: Wife Marjorie, sons Nick and William and played for Canada in two Olympics (1984 and

’88), said the plan was to identify players who understood their role and were good in the locker room.

“We had a template for our scouts to use,” Karpan said. “It was to understand who was who and who might be available and then we really dialed in on what those players were like.

“You learn that night after night watching. Our scouts did a marvelous job of that.”

Those scouts — Vince Williams, Kelly Kisio, Vaclav Nedomansky, Alex Godynyuk, Jim Mckenzie and Mike Rosati — convinced Karpan to take a hard look at William Karlsson, Shea Theodore, Erik Haula, all of who have made large contributions so far.

“Our scouts did all the heavy lifting,” Karpan said. “But this is the most gratifying thing I’ve ever done in hockey.”

Contact Steve Carp at 702-387-2913 or scarp@ reviewjournal.com. Follow @stevecarprj on Twitter.