Sens name Pierre McGuire senior VP of player development

The Ottawa Senators have appointed Pierre McGuire as senior vice president of player development, the team announced Monday.

McGuire will work closely with general manager Pierre Dorion and owner Eugene Melnyk.

“We are excited to add Pierre to our hockey management group. His experience will be instrumental as we continue to build an elite team,” Melnyk said. “Pierre’s knowledge of the game and its players is highly regarded, and I am confident that he will positively assist our team as it progresses to the next level.”

McGuire, 59, has spent the last 24 years as a broadcaster. Prior to that, he served as a head coach, assistant coach, and scout with various NHL, ECHL, and college teams.

“I wanted someone that knew as many of the players as possible,” Melnyk said, according to the Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch. “That’s one of the key elements, is knowing who you’re acquiring. … You want to know that player’s family, friends, who he hangs out with, who influenced him, and everything possible to know you’re getting the right person.”

Despite posting a 23-28-5 record last season, the Senators finished the 2021 campaign as one of the league’s strongest teams. For Melnyk, that was apparently enough for him to deem the rebuilding club as ready to be competitive again.

“There’s no more excuses. It’s showtime,” Melnyk said. “We’ve done the rebuild. We’re still building, but we’re almost done.”