Despite progress in recent years, hockey still tends to look inward when filling management positions, especially at the top. While analytics departments have welcomed unconventional thinkers, senior leadership roles remain insular. The Vancouver Canucks, like most NHL teams, could benefit from hiring an outsider as head of strategy, according to former Canucks president and GM Mike Gillis.
The Need for Outside Perspectives
Hockey has gradually embraced data and analytics, but hiring at the executive level remains closed to those without traditional hockey management backgrounds. Even data-forward candidates like Evan Gold, who was considered for the Canucks' GM role, have decades of conventional hockey experience. Rare exceptions include the Pittsburgh Penguins hiring Jonathan Erlichman from the Tampa Bay Rays as vice-president of hockey research, development and strategy, and the Carolina Hurricanes promoting Eric Tulsky, a former outsider, to GM.
Gillis's Vision for a Head of Strategy
Speaking on the Sekeres And Price show, Gillis proposed creating a high-level strategy and opportunity role for someone outside the game. This person would constantly evaluate other teams' vulnerabilities and opportunities, presenting a book on every NHL team to guide decisions on trades, signings, and rebuilding. Gillis emphasized that this role does not currently exist in any NHL front office.
“They walk in and they go through every one of the opposition of every team in the league and say ‘OK here’s their weakness,’” Gillis explained. “This is what they’re going to be looking for. Here’s how we might be able to manage this. Do we have the pieces necessary? How do we go and get a piece necessary to get the one they might give up?”
He added that the role would help design summer signings, trade strategies, and build a core of players aged 21-24 who can become championship contenders at 25-29.
Potential Candidates
Gillis did not name specific individuals, but examples include Cam Lawrence, CFO of MEC, and Steve Werier, a corporate lawyer who worked for Amazon and AI startups. Both have hockey backgrounds but extensive business experience, having previously worked for the Florida Panthers.
When Gillis ran the Canucks, the team was ahead of the curve in sports science, focusing on sleep and nutrition long before it became standard. Today, all NHL teams prioritize these factors. Gillis believes the Canucks could once again get ahead by hiring a director of strategy.
“To me, that role, I don’t see it anywhere,” Gillis said. The Canucks would be wise to pioneer this approach and gain a competitive edge.
