{allcanada} Oilers hire Chiarelli as new general manager

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The Edmonton Oilers on Friday named Peter Chiarelli general manager and president of hockey operations.

"We are delighted to bring a person of Peter's considerable hockey knowledge and experience to the Edmonton Oilers, Oilers CEO Bob Nicholson said. "Peter has had success at all levels of the game and we look forward to his leadership."

Chiarelli replaces Craig MacTavish, who had been GM since the 2013-14 season. In addition, Kevin Lowe was re-assigned from the hockey operations department but retains the title of vice chair of Oilers Entertainment Group.

The Oilers finished 28th in the League standings this season and missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the ninth straight season. However they won the NHL Draft Lottery and with it a chance to select Erie Otters center Connor McDavid with the first pick of the 2015 NHL Draft. McDavid is the No. 1 player on NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of North American skaters for the 2015 draft.

"I am honored to join such a great organization with a long history of success," Chiarelli said "There is a strong, young core here with good complementary players. I hope to bring it to the next level with a measured approach. [Owner] Daryl Katz and Bob Nicholson have a great vision here for the team and Rogers Place. I am very excited to be a part of it."

Chiarelli spent the previous eight seasons as general manager of Boston Bruins. He led the Bruins to the Stanley Cup in 2011 and back to the Cup Final in 2013. But he was fired April 15 after the Bruins missed the playoffs; they finished two points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for the final wild card spot from the Eastern Conference.

Nicholson, who was named Oilers CEO on April 20, and Chiarelli know each other from Nicholson's time with Hockey Canada; Chiarelli was part of the group of NHL general managers who helped assemble Canada's gold medal-winning team at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

In addition, Patrick LaForge resigned Friday as Oilers president and chief operating officer.

"I want to thank Kevin, Patrick and Craig for their commitment and contributions to the Oilers over the past many years," Katz said. "No one should question the heart, integrity, dedication or capability of any of these individuals. Each has done great things for the team and our city, but it was simply time for a change. We will honor their contributions and treasure their continued friendship. Once an Oiler, always an Oiler. I also want to commend Bob Nicholson on his leadership and welcome Peter Chiarelli aboard. Together, we are committed to making the Oilers a Stanley Cup contender."

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