Penguins Hire MLB Analytics Guru, New Trainer, Promote Spezza & Kessel

The Pittsburgh Penguins made significant additions to their hockey operations staff, making nine new hires, including an analytics guru who helped the Tampa Bay Rays, a new head trainer, and promoted assistant general manager Jason Spezza.

The moves were announced via Twitter Monday afternoon.

Notably, the team hired Jonathan Erlichman as the new vice president of hockey research, development, and strategy. He spent 12 seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays, most recently serving as their vice president of process and analytics. According to the Penguins, Erlichman’s primary responsibilities included high-impact projects and conducting research related to player wellness.

Erlichman was also Tampa Bay’s process and analytics coach (2019-23) and their director of analytics (2016-19). With the Penguins, he will lead the research and development strategy, including the team’s data and analytics.

This summer, longtime athletic trainer Chris Stewart retired after 29 years with the team. Monday, the Penguins also filled Stewart’s vacancy, hiring Kevin Elliott.

Elliott, 58, spent the last three years with Hockey Canada as the trainer for the U-20 National Junior Team, the Men’s Under-18 and Under-17 teams, multiple World Championship teams, and the 2022 Olympic Games. He also spent 17 years as the trainer for the Charlottetown Islanders of the QMJHL, his tenure interrupted by one year with the Florida Panthers.

The other key hire was Lucas Malloy as the new manager of hockey operations. Malloy worked with Fenway Sports Group as former alternate governor Dave Beeston’s special assistant. Malloy was part of the search team that hired Penguins president of hockey operations/GM Kyle Dubas and Craig Breslow as the Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer.

Penguins Promotions

Assistant general manager Jason Spezza and special assistant Amanda Kessel received promotions Monday. Spezza officially became the general manager of the Penguins AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Kessel becomes the manager of minor league operations and the assistant GM of the WBS Penguins. In addition to assisting Spezza, she will oversee the Penguins ECHL affiliate, the Wheeling Nailers.

Penguins Hires

• Jonathan Erlichman – Vice President, Hockey Research, Development & Strategy
• Kevin Elliott – Head Athletic Trainer
• Lucas Malloy – Manager, Hockey Operations
• Chris Roque – Amateur Scout
• Brandon Dennis – Amateur Scout
• Brian Ihnacak – Amateur Scout
• Jason Pietrzykowski – Professional Scout
• Chad Nehring – Professional Scout
• Karel Popper – Goaltender Coach, Wheeling Nailers