Penguins Announce Hockey Operations Staff Hirings and Promotions
Clancey, 50, is beginning his 13th season in the Penguins' organization after spending the last nine seasons as the team's director of professional scouting and the three years prior to that as a pro scout. A three-time Stanley Cup champion with Pittsburgh (2009, '16, '17), Clancey was a vital member of the decision-making team that brought in Bill Guerin and Chris Kunitz during the '09 Cup run, as well as veterans Matt Cullen, Trevor Daley, Carl Hagelin, Justin Schultz and Ron Hainsey during the back-to-back championship runs in '16 and '17. As part of his new role, the St. John's, Newfoundland native will evaluate all players in the Penguins organization on a regular basis and assist with free agent scouting in Europe.
Bowness, 36, has been promoted to director of professional scouting after previously spending the past three seasons as a pro scout for the Penguins. A 2017 Stanley Cup champion, the Halifax, Nova Scotia native got his start in scouting with the Atlanta Thrashers/Winnipeg Jets franchise where he served as a pro scout and manager of hockey operations from 2009-16. As part of his new role, Bowness will oversee and coordinate the team's pro scouting efforts in the NHL and AHL.
Heasley, 34, is entering his 12th season with the Penguins, and first as an assistant general manager of the WBS Penguins. A native of Pittsburgh, PA and graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Heasley has spent the previous nine seasons with the Penguins as a manager of hockey operations, assisting with amateur scouting duties and player development and will continue to do so. In his new role, he will work closely with WBS head coach and general manager Mike Vellucci on matters concerning the team.
Stevens, 54, who has been a special assignment scout for the team since 2017, will also take on pro scouting duties in an added role. As a special assignment scout, the Brockton, Massachusetts native was responsible for amateur scouting and the scouting of college free agents in the northeast region. Most recently, he and director of player development Scott Young extensively scouted and gave the recommendation to acquire Harvard defenseman John Marino. Stevens is one of the most accomplished players in team history, ranking in the top-10 on the franchise's all-time lists for goals (260, 7th), assists (295, 10th) and points (555, 8th) in 522 games over two stints with the club. He was a key catalyst for Pittsburgh during its back-to-back Stanley Cup championship wins in 1991 and '92.
Joining the Penguins' pro scouting staff is Jay McClement. A veteran of 12 seasons in the NHL, the 36-year-old appeared in 906 career NHL games with Carolina, Toronto, Colorado and St. Louis, producing 244 points (90G-154A). In his new role, the Kingston, Ontario native will scout teams in the Montreal and Quebec area.
Also joining the organization as a pro scout is 59-year-old Duane Sutter. As a player, Sutter won the Stanley Cup in each of his first four seasons in the NHL (1979-83) and went on to play 731 career games with the New York Islanders and Chicago Blackhawks, recording 342 points (139G-203A). As one of six brothers to play in the NHL, Sutter followed up a successful playing career with a transition to the front office, serving in various roles over the last 22 years including head coach, assistant coach, director of player development, director of player personnel, vice president of player personnel and pro scout with the Chicago Blackhawks, Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers. With the Penguins, Sutter will scout teams on the west coast of the United States and Canada.
Earlier this summer Santilli, 49, transitioned from a pro scout to a global crossover scout for his ninth season with the team. In this role, the Boston, Massachusetts native joined Colin Alexander in scouting amateur players from North America and Europe.
