Winnipeg Jets announce promotion and addition to scouting staff

As we get closer to the start of the 2015-16 season the Jets have made some tweaks to their scouting staff.

Jets Release:

The Winnipeg Jets announced today changes to the hockey club’s scouting staff including the promotion of Mark Hillier from Head Amateur Scout to Director of Amateur Scouting. Hillier takes over the position from Marcel Comeau who has taken a step back from the director’s position to pursue more time with his family. Comeau will remain with the Jets’ organization as an amateur scout.

The Jets have also added Kjell Dahlin as a European amateur scout, Jari Grönstrand as a European professional scout and Mark White as a college free agent scout.

Hillier, a native of St. John’s N.L., has served as Winnipeg’s Head Amateur Scout for the previous five seasons. In his new role, he is responsible for overseeing all amateur scouting activities and for the evaluation of all amateur talent on a worldwide basis. Prior to joining the Jets, Hillier worked with the Atlanta Thrashers as an amateur scout for eight seasons. Hillier spent 13 years with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization from 1990-2002, his last position with the Maple Leafs was Director of Amateur Scouting from 1999-2002. Hillier also worked as Director of Hockey Administration for Toronto’s top farm team, the St. John’s Maple Leafs, from 1993-95. Hillier earned a Sports Administration Diploma from Durham College of Applied Arts and Technology in Oshawa, Ontario, in 1990.

White, who is based in Rhode Island, joins the Jets after six years at Brown University most recently as Associate Head Coach. Prior to coaching at Brown, White was an assistant coach at Bentley College for four seasons. White played three seasons of professional hockey after spending four years at the University of New Hampshire and graduating with a B.A. in sociology. White takes over the college free agent scouting role from Brian Renfrew whom has an increased role in the amateur scouting department following Tavis MacMillan’s appointment as assistant coach with the University of Denver.

Dahlin, played 12 years of professional hockey including three in the NHL with the Montréal Canadiens. In 1986, his first year in the league, Dahlin was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team and won a Stanley Cup with the Canadiens. He played nine seasons in Sweden, which is where he will be based while scouting for the Jets. Dahlin replaces Michael Sundlov who has accepted a general manager position with Karlskrona in Sweden.

Grönstrand, who is based in Finland, joins the Jets’ professional scouting staff after spending the past nine years in a similar role with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Grönstrand played 17 seasons of professional hockey in Finland, France, Germany and in both the AHL and NHL. Grönstrand also played for Finland in the 1986 World Championship. He replaces Anders Gozzi who is now the general manager with AIK in Stockholm, Sweden.