Former Washington Capitals forward Matt Hendricks got a big promotion on Wednesday.
The Minnesota Wild named the 11-year NHL veteran the new general manager of their AHL affiliate, the Iowa Wild, succeeding Michael Murray.
In accompanying moves, Murray along with Mat Sells and Chris Kelleher were named assistant general managers of the NHL team. They will all serve under Minnesota’s president of hockey operations and general manager Bill Guerin.
We have announced the following promotions within Hockey Operations:
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— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) May 15, 2024
This marks the first time the 42-year-old Hendricks has been a GM at any level.
Since hanging up his skates in 2019, Hendricks has been an executive and worked for his hometown Wild, serving as the assistant director of player development for five seasons (2019-24). In a press release, the Wild explained that Hendricks will be “responsible for the day-to-day hockey operations of the American Hockey League club” and “will also continue to support the Wild’s player development department.”
Hendricks, a fan favorite, spent three years with the Capitals, posting 42 points (18g, 24a) in 203 games. He was not shy to drop the gloves, posting 278 penalty minutes during that time including a career-high 112 in 2013-14. Hendricks also became an effective player in the shootout, with his “paralyzer” move. Hendricks has the sixth-most shootout goals in Capitals history with 8.
The Blaine, Minnnesota native played 607 games in the NHL with the Colorado Avalanche, Washington Capitals, Nashville Predators, Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets, and Minnesota Wild. He also skated in 247 games in the AHL with the Milwaukee Admirals, Lowell Lock Monsters, Rochester Americans, Hershey Bears, Providence Bruins, and Lake Erie Monsters. He reached the Calder Cup Finals with the Bears in 2007.
