Golden Brett is new Top Star

by armchairsports | November 13, 2007 at 04:37 pm

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Do ex-players make good front office executives? Here's another chance for us to find out: news today that Brett Hull gets to see what kind of sniper he is from the press box... um... wait, that sounds wrong.

In a move that continues the sports question the former all-star winger is the new GM of the Dallas Stars. Luckily it's not all on his head, the Stars have saved him by using the words interim and co-general manager.

So, do former top line players make good GM's? In the case of Bob Gainey in Montreal the answer is yes... Rejean Houle (Gainey's former teamate) had none in Montreal and the team has yet to recover. In Long Island Garth Snow seems to have had some luck (and a nutty owner)... Doug Risebrough has had some success. The list is longer but we won't count those with minor league experience... so the jury's out.

On the other hand managing genes seem also to be of a hit and miss proposition: hiring the son of a former GM John Ferguson Jr. has had none in Toronto, while across the hall the younger Colangelo seems to be on the right track with the NBA's Raptors.

DALLAS STARS NAME BRETT HULL AND LES JACKSON

INTERIM CO-GENERAL MANAGERS

FRISCO, Tex. -- Dallas Stars Chairman of the Board and Owner Thomas O. Hicks announced this afternoon that Brett Hull and Les Jackson have been named Interim Co-General Managers to run the Stars’ Hockey Operations for the remainder of the season. Earlier today Hicks announced that he relieved Doug Armstrong from his duties as General Manager of the hockey club.

“Brett Hull and Les Jackson are both people that I know and trust to do a great job and run our hockey club for the remainder of the season,” said Hicks. “They are very good hockey people and know the business well. They have complementary skill sets and successful hockey leadership records.

“It’s early in the season and I am convinced they are the right people to provide direction, vision, management and guidance that get this team positioned to win another division crown.”

Hull, 43, is in his second season in the front office for the Dallas Stars. He was named as Special Advisor to Hockey Operations this past summer, assisting in all areas of Hockey Operations. Hull served as Special Assistant to the President the previous season, helping in areas of business operations, broadcasting and marketing. He retired as a player in 2005 after an illustrious 19-year career spent with Calgary, St. Louis, Dallas, Detroit and Phoenix. In 1,269 games, Hull netted 741 goals – good for third in NHL history behind only Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe. A member of the 1999 Stanley Cup Champion Dallas Stars, Hull spent three seasons as a player in Dallas from 1999-2001 (218 games, 95 goals and 101 assists for 196 points).

Jackson, 54, has spent 20 total years in Hockey Operations for the Stars over two different stints, including the last seven seasons as Assistant General Manager, where he has management and oversight over the club’s amateur program and scouting efforts. Jackson also assisted in the evaluation of players as it relates to movement within the organization including the entry draft, trades and free agent signings. He served as Assistant General Manager for the Atlanta Thrashers from 1999-2000. Jackson has also served as a coach and general manager in the Western Hockey League for the Brandon Wheat Kings. The Manning, Alberta, native was drafted by the Boston Bruins in 1972 and played two seasons in the minors before beginning his career as a hockey executive.

Hull and Jackson will begin their new responsibilities immediately.