SUNRISE, Fla. –
Florida Panthers General Manager and Head Coach Jacques Martin announced today that Bill O’Flaherty has been hired as the club’s new Director of Pro Scouting. In his new role, O’Flaherty will work closely with Martin and Assistant General Manager Randy Sexton and oversee all aspects of the club’s professional scouting.
Prior to joining the Panthers, O’Flaherty, 59, spent the 2006-07 season with the
Pittsburgh Penguins as a professional scout. Prior to the Penguins, O’Flaherty served as the Director of Player Personnel for the
Los Angeles Kings from 1997-2006. With the Kings, O’Flaherty oversaw the club’s minor league operations and assisted in all facets of hockey operations.
“We are pleased to have hired someone with the experience and stature of Bill O’Flaherty as our Director of Pro Scouting, “Martin said. “Bill has been involved in hockey for over 30 years and will play a key role in evaluating talent at the professional level.”
A Toronto, Ontario native, O’Flaherty graduated from Clarkson University in 1971 and immediately began working in the school’s athletic department. He spent 11 seasons as the school’s Athletic Director (1986-97) and served as the Golden Knights head coach for six seasons, posting a 134-59-12 record. O’Flaherty was awarded the Spencer R. Penrose Memorial Trophy as the University Division I Coach of the Year in 1981.
"I'm very excited about this opportunity to join the
Florida Panthers organization,” O’Flaherty said. “With the core nucleus of excellent young players and quality veterans, I could not pass up the chance to help further the success of this franchise.”