"Michael brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our front office," said Waddell. "He knows what it takes to build a championship-caliber team, and we're excited to add him to our organization."
Futa, 53, has worked in the NHL for 13 seasons, serving various roles for the Los Angeles Kings from 2007-20. He began as the Kings' co-director of amateur scouting from 2007-14 before being promoted to vice president of hockey operations and director of player personnel in May 2014. After serving in those roles for three seasons, he was again promoted to assistant general manager in April 2017. During his tenure with Los Angeles, Futa helped build the Kings' 2012 and 2014 Stanley Cup-winning rosters, which featured Hurricanes' Special Advisor to the General Manager Justin Williams.
Before joining the Kings, Futa spent 10 seasons in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He served as general manager of the Owen Sound Attack from 2002-07 and was named OHL Executive of the Year in 2004-05. He previously served as both an assistant coach and assistant general manager of the Oshawa Generals from 1999-01 after working first as an assistant coach and later head coach of the Toronto St. Michael's Majors from 1997-00. The Toronto native began his career as head coach and general manager of the St. Michael's Buzzers of the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League in 1996-97.
Futa has also worked in various roles with Team Ontario's under-17 program, serving as an assistant coach in 1999-00, head coach from 2000-02 and director of hockey operations from 2004-07. Under his watch, Team Ontario captured the gold medal at the 2007 Canada Winter Games.
