Former Avalanche star Rob Blake is joining the NHL’s hockey operations department.
Blake, who retired last July, helped the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2001. The seven-time All-Star and 20-year NHL veteran also played with the Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks.
He will work closely with Colin Campbell, the league’s senior executive VP of hockey operations, and will be involved with the NHL’s competition committee, as well as the summer research and development camp.
“The chance to continue to enhance an already great on-ice product at the league level is especially intriguing after so many years spent focusing upon individual team success,” Blake said in a prepared statement.
Said Campbell: “We are fortunate to be able to add someone with his long list of on-ice accomplishments and varied talents to the league’s hockey operations department. We plan to rely heavily upon his two decades of playing experience — particularly his unique understanding of the game as it is being played today.”
Blake had 777 points in his career, including 240 goals. That ranks him 18th all-time among NHL defensemen.
He won a gold medal while playing for Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
