Rob Blake To Join NHL’s Hockey Operations

Added on Jan 28, 2011 by J Merrill in

NHL

He won a Gold medal at the Olympics, A Stanley Cup Championship, The Norris Trophy, and now Rob Blake will join the NHL’s Hockey Operations Department as a manager, the National Hockey League announced today. Blake will always be known as one of the best defensemen to ever play the game and its exciting to see him continue his career with the NHL.

Blake will be working with Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell and his staff on all things involving the game. He will work with the hockey executives at the Club level and be involved with the Competition Committee and the NHL’s summer Research and Development Camp.

Blake said he is excited to continue his career with the NHL, and is looking forward to trying to improve the game of hockey for everyone. He said “I am delighted to be joining the NHL’s Hockey Operations department and at having this opportunity to continue to have an impact upon the game that has been such a major part of my life. 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. And I am excited to be working with Colin Campbell, Mike Murphy, Brendan Shanahan and the entire Hockey Ops team.”

Colin Campbell said the NHL was fortunate to have the chance to work with someone like Blake, and spoke highly of him. “Rob Blake wasn’t just one of the greatest defensemen ever to play in the NHL, he was one of the game’s most thoughtful players. 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 finished his career 777 points (240 goals, 537 assists) in 1,270 games which places him 18th all-time among NHL defensemen all time. His 240 goals rank 10th all-time and his 136 power play goals place him third all-time among defensemen.

Blake is also a member of the Triple Gold Club, and is one of only 24 players in hockey history to do so. Blake won a World Championship in Canada in 1994 and 1997, he won an Olympic Gold Medal in Canada in 2002, and a Stanley Cup in Colorado in 2002. Blake became the 11th member on Feb. 24, 2002 with Team Canada’s Olympic Gold Medal at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games.