Ken Holland joins NHL as hockey operations consultant

A former front office mainstay is moving to a different role.

On Tuesday, NHL senior executive vice president of hockey operations Colin Campbell announced that former general manager Ken Holland has been hired as a consultant for the league’s hockey operations department.

Ken Holland named NHL Hockey Operations Consultant. https://t.co/X2Ilt5Tf9N pic.twitter.com/67iEIUUCzT

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 12, 2024

Holland had recently served as president of hockey operations and general manager for the Edmonton Oilers for the past five seasons, putting together a team that advanced to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final last season, ultimately losing to the Florida Panthers.

“We are delighted to welcome Ken to NHL Hockey Operations,” Campbell said in a release. “Where he will provide invaluable insight from his decades in the game as a player, scout and executive. He offers unmatched expertise in a wide range of areas.”

Holland had worked in a GM capacity for 27 years, taking his first leading role after Jimmy Devallano stepped aside as GM of the Detroit Red Wings. Holland was an assistant GM under Devallano when the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup in 1997, with Holland overseeing the team to its second straight championship the following season. The Vernon, British Columbia native constructed teams in Detroit that went on to win Cups in 2002 and 2008.

Holland has also represented his country in various management roles over his career. He was on the hockey operations staff for the Canadian National Teams that won gold at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics, along with the 2016 World Cup of Hockey championship team.

During his tenure as a GM, Holland also served on the NHL/NHLPA Competition Committee and GM Executive Committee. He was a key proprietor in helping the NHL institute the 3-on-3 overtime format almost a decade ago.

Holland was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in the Builder’s Category in 2020.