“Joe brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our organization,” said Francis. “He will be based in Dallas, and will be a major asset to the Hurricanes in player evaluations.”

Nieuwendyk, 47, served as the general manager for the Dallas Stars from 2009-2013, acquiring many of the players that formed the foundation of the Stars’ playoff team in 2014, including Alex Goligoski, Kari Lehtonen, Cody Eakin, Alex Chiasson, Ray Whitney, Antoine Roussel and Brenden Dillon. Prior to joining the Stars, Nieuwendyk served in advisory roles for the Maple Leafs and Panthers, and served as assistant general manager for Canada’s silver-medal-winning team at the 2009 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship.

As a player, Nieuwendyk won the Stanley Cup with three different teams in three different decades, capturing championships with Calgary in 1989, Dallas in 1999 and New Jersey in 2003. The Whitby, Ont., native played 1,257 career NHL games, scoring 564 career goals and totaling 562 assists (1,126 points) and was a four-time NHL All-Star. He won the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year after netting 51 goals in 1987-88, and was presented with the King Clancy Trophy for his humanitarian and leadership contributions in 1995.

Nieuwendyk appeared in 158 career Stanley Cup playoff games, totaling 116 points (66g, 50a) and winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the 1999 Stanley Cup playoffs. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011.