The Chicago Blackhawks made off-ice news on Thursday, announcing the hiring of Chicago Cubs Assistant General Manager Jeff Greenberg as an associate general manager.
OFFICIAL: Jeff Greenberg has been named Associate General Manager.
Greenberg joins the Blackhawks after 11 seasons in baseball operations with the Chicago Cubs, most recently serving as Assistant General Manager. pic.twitter.com/fioyDRVv2r
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 28, 2022
According to a press release from the team, Greenberg will oversee the strategic systems and processes behind the hockey operations department. Greenberg’s focus will be to establish and optimize a modern approach to hockey operations through the use of systems, technology, data and talent with an eye on long-term growth and gaining competitive advantage, according to the release.
“Our journey is just beginning as we build a next-generation foundation for this team, and that starts with a focus on modernizing and improving the Hockey Operations infrastructure in our front office,” said Blackhawks General Manager Kyle Davidson in the release. “We will only get back to being best-in-class on the ice if we are working with best-in-class information and ideas behind the scenes. Together, this executive leadership team is looking forward to developing great talent throughout all levels of our organization and adding the tools we need across scouting, analytics, player development, coaching and more to return to competitive hockey.”
“Jeff will be both an architect and connector of the hockey operations group, ensuring that we’re always at the forefront of professional sports,” added Davidson. “He reached out to congratulate me after I was named General Manager, and we connected instantly over our parallel paths, shared love for hockey and vision for this sport’s future. I’m excited for our fans to see what he, alongside Norm (Maciver), can bring as key voices at the table — a table that will continue to grow with other leaders we will add to the team.”
The news comes as a bit of a surprise to many, as Greenberg had been a finalist for the Blackhawks’ general manager position but was not selected, as the team instead opted for Davidson.
Greenberg has spent the last 11 years within the Cubs organization in the baseball operations department. Greenberg’s strength has always come in the scouting world, helping develop systems to better identify and develop talent, which is clearly an area the Blackhawks need help in.
Prior to joining the Cubs, Greenberg spent time with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Pittsburgh Pirates, as well as working directly for the MLB. A 2008 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Greenberg played hockey in college, including captaining his team during his junior and senior seasons.
Greenberg is looking forward to bringing his expertise to the Blackhawks and the challenge that lies ahead with rebuilding the team.
“What I’ve learned about the Blackhawks is they’re serious about using this rebuilding period to not only set this franchise up to be the best in hockey, but the best in all of sports moving forward,” Greenberg said in the release. “There couldn’t be a more exciting time to get in on the ground floor of this journey and pursue every possible solution to put this team back on the path to winning hockey.”
Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer, who the Blackhawks consulted with during their general manager search, praised the hiring of Greenberg, identifying that Greenberg is an ideal fit for what the Blackhawks need and are wanting to do moving forward.
Greenberg’s first day with the Blackhawks will be May 9.