"After a decorated playing career, Jason fully immersed himself on the management side of the game learning all facets of hockey operations this past season while with Toronto," said Dubas. "He showed tremendous work ethic, curiosity, and ability to build relationships throughout all departments at the team facility. His move from the roster to the front office staff also helped make the hockey operations department, coaching staff and playing roster a more cohesive and collaborative unit. We are thrilled to have Jason join the Pittsburgh Penguins today as he will add a great perspective to our Club, and we are excited to watch him reach his potential in management."
Spezza, who retired from a 19-year NHL career in 2022, spent last season with Dubas and the Toronto Maple Leafs as the special assistant to the general manager. In his previous role, he spent time with all hockey operations departments including player personnel, player development, minor league operations and hockey research and development. Spezza helped guide the Maple Leafs to their first playoff series victory since the 2003-04 campaign.
The 40-year old played in the NHL from 2002-22 with the Ottawa Senators (2002-14), Dallas Stars (2014-19) and Maple Leafs (2019-22), recording 363 goals, 632 assists and 995 points in 1,248 games. During the span of his career, Spezza ranked 9th and 11th in the league in assists and points, respectively. Spezza added 76 points (28G-48A) in 97 career postseason games, which included a trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 2007.
The two-time NHL All Star (2008 & '12) ranks in the top-100 on the NHL's all-time list for assists (82nd) and points (98th). Spezza, who served as the eighth captain in Senators history in 2013-14, ranks second in franchise history in goals (251), assists (436) and points (687), while sitting sixth all-time in games played for Ottawa (686). Prior to being named Ottawa's captain in 2013, Spezza served as an alternate captain for the team from 2010-13, then went on to represent Dallas as an alternate captain from 2016-19.
The two-time AHL All Star (2003 & '05) spent parts of two seasons in the American Hockey League with the Binghamton Senators, including during the 2004-05 NHL Lockout when he was named the AHL's Most Valuable Player after leading the league in assists (85) and points (117).
The Mississauga, Ontario native has represented Team Canada at the international level on several occasions, including four World Championships (2008, '09, '11, '15), three World Junior Championships (2000, '01, '02) and the Spengler Cup in 2012. Spezza won a gold medal at the 2015 World Championship with Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, as well as two silver medals (2008, '09) at the World Championship and a silver (2002) and two bronze medals (2000, '01) at the World Junior Championship.
Spezza was teammates with Penguins Player Development staff member Matt Cullen in Ottawa (2009-10) and Hockey Operations Advisor Trevor Daley in Dallas (2014-15).
Spezza and his wife, Jennifer, have four daughters, Sophia, Nicola, Anna and Julia.
