The Los Angeles Kings, the parent club of the Manchester Monarchs, have named Ron Hextall as assistant general manager for the Kings and general manager of the Monarchs. Kings GM Dean Lombardi made the announcement on Tuesday.
Said Lombardi: "Having worked with Ron the last few years in Philadelphia, I am extremely pleased that he is joining us here in Los Angeles. Ron represents a unique blend of a former player who excelled at a high level and in his post-playing career has shown a tireless commitment toward learning the personnel and operations functions of a franchise. Most importantly he has a sharp mind and there is no doubt in my mind that he is a rising star in the management field."
Hextall, 42, enjoyed a stellar 13-year NHL career as a goaltender for the Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders and Quebec Nordiques that was highlighted by his rookie 1986-87 season with the Flyers when he was awarded the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goaltender and the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Player in the Stanley Cup Finals. He was also named to both the NHL All-Rookie and NHL First All-Star Teams that season.
Hextall played a total of 65 games in the American Hockey League with the Hershey Bears, and in 1985-86 was given the Dudley "Red" Garrett Award as the AHL’s outstanding rookie.
He has spent the last four years as the director of pro hockey personnel for the Flyers, after serving as a pro scout from 1999-2002.
With the Kings, Hextall’s job responsibilities include assisting Lombardi in all facets of the Kings’ hockey operations department, including contract negotiations and player personnel, and overseeing the organization’s top prospects. With Manchester, he will serve as GM and oversee that organization’s hockey operations and business operations departments.
A native of Brandon, Man., Ron was the third generation of Hextall to play in both the AHL and the NHL, following his father, Bryan Jr., and his grandfather, Hall of Famer Bryan Sr.
