Newly appointed GM, Bill Armstrong, wasted no time adjusting the Arizona Coyotes amateur scouting staff. These type of transactions often get lost in the shuffle, but have large implications on the future direction of an organization. Given my junior scouting background – these types of personnel changes spark my interest!
Who Is Darryl Plandowski?
Yesterday, Armstrong announced Darryl Plandowski will replace Lindsay Hofford as the Coyotes Director of Amateur Scouting. Plandowski, originally from Lloydminster, Alberta played his collegiate hockey at the Northern Michigan University and now resides in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Plandowksi joins the Coyotes after serving 12 years as a member of the 2020 Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning scouting staff. Shortly after Steve Yzerman made his triumphant return to Detroit, Plandowski was promoted into the Lightning’s Assistant Director of Amateur Scouting role in August of 2019. Prior to his time with the Lightning, Plandowski worked as an amateur scout for the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Buffalo Sabres. Over his 20+ year amateur scouting career, Plandowski has steadily risen as a result of his excellent eye for talent.
Plandowski will leave a hole in Tampa Bay’s scouting staff, but they have some excellent candidates waiting to be Al Murray’s (long time Director of Amateur Scouting for the Lightning) right hand man. One particular name to keep an eye on: Brad Whelen.
Another amazing evaluator of hockey talent, Whelen is the former WHL head scout and Asst. GM of the Calgary Hitmen. He was the Lightning’s western Canadian amateur scout when the team selected an undersized Moose Jaw Warrior player in the 3rd of the 2014 NHL entry draft. That selection turned out to be a decent choice: Brayden Point.
Who Is Ryan Jankowski?
Earlier today, Armstrong announced another new member to his amateur scouting staff by adding Ryan Jankowski. Armstrong added Jankowksi to flank Plandowksi as the associate director of amateur scouting. Jankowski, another long time NHL amateur scout, spent the last two years as Director of Amateur Scouting for the Buffalo Sabres.
Prior to his time in Buffalo, the Calgary native served as Head Scout and Director of Player Personnel with Hockey Canada. Jankowski also spent over a decade between the Montreal Canadiens and New York Islander organizations in positions ranging from amateur scout to assistant general manager.
All in all, two great additions to help guide the amateur scouting department in Arizona.
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