Ron Francis is back with the Penguins as a special advisor for hockey operations, tasked with helping leadership on strategic planning, roster construction, and internal systems. The 63-year-old previously won consecutive Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh in 1991 a
Ron Francis is walking back into the Penguins building with a familiar pulse—only this time, it’s not as a player.
The team announced Friday that Francis, 63, is returning to Pittsburgh as a special advisor for hockey operations. In the role. he will assist the Penguins’ hockey operations leadership group with strategic planning. roster construction and optimization of all internal systems and processes as the organization looks to further implement best practices.
The move lands with clear weight inside a franchise that hasn’t just been searching for stability, but for a reliable next step. The Penguins are coming off a 98-point campaign and reached the post-season for the first time since 2022.
Kyle Dubas, the Pittsburgh president of hockey operations and general manager, spoke to what Francis represents beyond the job description. “Ron has a deep affinity for the city of Pittsburgh and the Penguins,” Dubas said in a statement. “He cherishes his time spent here as a player where he had tremendous success and is an outstanding ambassador for the Penguins and the city of Pittsburgh.”.
Francis’ connection to Pittsburgh is grounded in championship memory. He was a member of the Penguins from 1990-98 and won back-to-back Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh in 1991 and 1992.
His post-playing path has been built the way many former stars try to build their second careers: in hockey operations. learning how decisions get made behind the scenes. Francis retired after the 2003-04 season. then began life as an NHL executive in 2011 when he was named director of hockey operations with the Carolina Hurricanes. It’s the organization he spent the majority of his career with after leaving Pittsburgh. and it’s also the franchise that first drafted him in 1981 as the Hartford Whalers.
Most recently, Francis spent seven seasons with the Seattle Kraken. He was named the club’s first-ever general manager, later promoted to president of hockey operations, and then stepped down at the conclusion of this past season.
Now. with the Penguins again playing meaningful hockey after their 98-point season. Francis returns to a group focused on strategy. roster building. and tightening the internal machinery. It’s a familiar face with a fresh executive edge—built on Cup-winning roots and a longer view of how teams keep getting better.
Ron Francis Pittsburgh Penguins special advisor hockey operations Kyle Dubas Stanley Cups Seattle Kraken Carolina Hurricanes NHL executive