Ville Siren, Director of Amateur Scouting

Ville Siren was named director of amateur scouting of the Columbus Blue Jackets on July 6, 2016 after serving as the club’s head amateur scout since joining the organization on July 8, 2013.

Siren spent nine seasons as a member of the St. Louis Blues scouting staff from 2003- 13. During that time, he was instrumental in the club’s selection of current NHL players such as Vladimir Tarasenko (1st Rd., 2010), Lars Eller (1st Rd., 2007), Patrik Berglund (1st Rd., 2006), Nikita Nikitin (5th Rd., 2004) and Roman Polak (6th Rd., 2004).

Prior to joining the Blues, he spent the 2002-03 season working with Tampere of the Finnish Elite League and scouted for the Washington Capitals from 1999-2002. A defenseman, Siren was selected by the Hartford Whalers in the second round, 23rd overall, at the 1983 NHL Draft and made his NHL debut with the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 1985-86 season. He went on to register 14 goals and 68 assists for 82 points with 276 penalty minutes in 290 career NHL games with the Penguins and Minnesota North Stars from 1985-90.

He also played nine seasons in Finland, Sweden and Switzerland before retiring in 1999, and represented Finland in numerous international competitions including the 1984 and 1992 Olympic Games, 1987 and 1991 Canada Cup tournaments, 1983 and 1984 World Junior Championships and 1985, 1991 and 1993 World Championships.

Siren was born on Feb. 11, 1964 in Tampere, Finland. He is the father of a son, Viktor.