The New York Rangers on Friday named Chris Drury director of player development.

Drury, 39, retired in 2011. He played the final four of his 12 NHL seasons with the Rangers, and was captain for the final three.

"This organization is first class in every aspect. I am excited to be back and be a part of it," Drury said, according to the Rangers Twitter account.

"I'm pretty excited to have Chris come back to the Rangers," general manager Jeff Gorton said. “It was an opportunity to bring someone into the organization, a former Ranger, that can add so much."

Drury will be responsible for working with the hockey operations department to assist in prospect development on and off the ice. He will work closely with the Rangers’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, and will assist in overseeing and evaluating all players at the collegiate level.

"We're trying to add people in some key positions that have had different experiences ... that can give us a fresh look,” Gorton said. "It's pretty obvious what he can do and how energetic he was for an opportunity to come back with the Rangers and work here."

In 892 regular-season games with the Colorado Avalanche, Calgary Flames, Buffalo Sabres and Rangers, Drury had 255 goals and 615 points. He won the Calder Trophy in 1999 and helped the Avalanche win the Stanley Cup in 2001.

"Not everyone is fortunate enough to have the mentors I had coming up, so this will be a rewarding position to be that person," Drury said.

Drury also won an NCAA championship at Boston University in 1995, and earned silver medals with the United States at the Olympics in 2002 and 2010.

He will be inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in December.