Canucks' Cammi Granato shifting from AGM to senior amateur adviser
Granato’s New Role and Reflections
Cammi Granato, formerly an assistant general manager for the Vancouver Canucks, is transitioning to a new position as senior amateur adviser for the hockey club. This change was announced by General Manager Ryan Johnson on Friday. Granato had served as assistant general manager for parts of five seasons before taking on this new advisory capacity.
Granato shared her thoughts on the move, stating that after reflecting, she felt it was the perfect time to transition into a new role with the Canucks. She mentioned having thoughtful discussions with Ryan Johnson and her family regarding her position within the organization. Granato expressed her passion for the amateur side of hockey and her enthusiasm to continue working with the hockey operations department in this area. She also conveyed confidence in the front office leadership group, appreciating their vision and the direction they are taking the team.
Ryan Johnson expressed his excitement about Granato’s move to Senior Amateur Advisor. He described Granato as a quality person with extensive knowledge of the organization’s inner workings. Johnson highlighted her established relationships and connections with the amateur staff, which he believes will contribute to continued success in that department.
Front Office Changes and Granato’s Background
Cammi Granato was initially hired by former president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford in February 2022. Rutherford stepped down from his role in May. Before joining the Canucks, Granato made history as the NHL‘s first female scout with the Seattle Kraken.
The Canucks organization has seen significant changes in its front office recently. Ryan Johnson was appointed as General Manager, and franchise icons Henrik and Daniel Sedin were named co-presidents of hockey operations. These changes follow a season where the team finished last in the overall NHL standings.
Granato’s career includes a notable achievement as the captain of the U.S. women’s hockey team that secured a gold medal at the 1998 Nagano Olympics, defeating Canada. In 2010, Granato, who is 55 years old and from Downers Grove, Ill., was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame alongside Canada‘s Angela James, making them the first women to receive this honour.
Impact on Scouting Department
Granato’s shift from day-to-day management duties underscores ongoing changes within the Canucks‘ hockey operations department. In the past season, Granato was one of three assistant general managers, overseeing both amateur and pro scouting departments, as well as the player development team. Emilie Castonguay, who was the first female AGM in team history and the second in league history, continues to manage contracts and salary caps.
The departure of experienced personnel like Granato from the general assistant general manager role has implications for the team’s scouting. Richard Seeley has taken over as the new AGM leading the Abbotsford operation, succeeding Ryan Johnson. While Daren Hermiston has been hired as a director to oversee the development staff, a direct replacement for Granato to oversee scouting and development is not anticipated. This suggests that Toddy Harvey and Brett Henning may need to take on additional responsibilities.
The pro scouting department, specifically under Brett Henning, is facing personnel shortages. Beyond the changes involving Johnson and Granato, the department has seen other departures. Dale Tallon, a former senior adviser and pro scout, did not have his contract renewed. Following the draft, Neil Komadoski, who had been with the Canucks since 2010, moved to the Buffalo Sabres as assistant director of pro scouting. Additionally, Jack Johnson, who joined the Canucks midseason, was hired by the Ohio State women’s hockey program as an assistant coach. Currently, Henning‘s department has two scouts, Lou Crawford and Brian Chapman, both with extensive experience.
Source: sportsnet.ca
