BLOG: Henderson to head pro scouting, looks to bring stability

EDMONTON, AB - There was a recurring theme when Ken Holland took the reins as the new President of Hockey Operations and General Manager of the Edmonton Oilers in May.
Throughout his introductory press conference, Holland kept coming back to the word stability. His long-standing tenure in the Detroit Red Wings organization was characterized by consistency, something he believes was a by-product of internal stability.
With two additions to his scouting staff in Tyler Wright and Archie Henderson, Holland hopes to further that mandate in his new role.
Both Wright and Henderson join Holland's staff in Edmonton have previously worked with him in Detroit. Henderson, specifically, worked as a pro scout in the Red Wings organization from 2016-19 and joins the Oilers as the club's new Director of Professional Scouting. Wright will fill the role of Director of Amateur Scouting.
RELEASE: Oilers add Henderson and Wright to scouting staff
When asked about the opportunity to work with Holland again, Henderson made note of the familiarity factor between both he and Wright and the Oilers GM.
"I think one of the things Ken Holland has made clear is that he wants to create as much stability as you can in the organization," said Henderson.
"By bringing myself and Tyler Wright in, obviously that gives him some stability with two people he's very familiar with."
With three seasons of experience with working with Holland, Henderson knows what to expect, how the GM operates and is looking forward to re-establishing a connection with his former boss.
"Ken is a very focused individual. He's very methodical and he thinks things out an awful lot and he relies on other people's opinions," said Henderson.
"He wants to hear what people think and then he evaluates everything from there."
In a role that will have him overseeing several pro scouts, Henderson knows developing strong communication amongst the ranks will be imperative to the department's success moving forward.
"Our staff on the pro side is going to know the Edmonton Oilers and Bakersfield Condors very well. We're going to know which areas that we have to fill and we'll go from there," said Henderson.
"As soon as our guys start identifying players, that will come back to myself and we'll do a lot of crossover scouting so that we have a wide opinion of everyone on the staff of certain players in certain situations. That information will go to Ken and Ken will make his call."
Henderson's addition to the Oilers organization doubles as a homecoming for the Calgary native, as he'll be returning to the province he was born and raised in- something he's very much looking forward to.
"I lived my whole life in Alberta, born and raised, but I've been away in a working environment since I was 19. It's awesome to come back," said Henderson.
"I'm very, very aware of the support that the Edmonton Oilers fans have and the passion that Oilers fans around the world have for their team. I'm looking forward into growing this thing into a contender."