Defenceman Bryan McCabe retired from professional hockey on Feb. 15, but he only spent four-and-a-half months away from the game.
McCabe, a former captain with the Florida Panthers, was named the club’s manager of player development on Monday.
McCabe, 37, will work closely with another former player, director of player development Brian Skrudland, in monitoring the progress of the organization’s prospects.
“I am grateful for this opportunity to return to the Panthers and start another chapter in my career,” McCabe said in a team press release. “I will certainly draw on my 16 years in the league in order to serve as a mentor for the Panthers’ younger players and help them as they develop in their own careers.”
A native of St. Catherines, Ont., McCabe played in 1,135 NHL games for the New York Islanders (1995-98), Vancouver Canucks (1997-99), Chicago Blackhawks (1999-2000), Toronto Maple Leafs (2000-08), Florida Panthers (2008-11) and New York Rangers (2010-11), scoring 145 goals and 383 assists.
McCabe also played for Team Canada in several tournaments, including the 2006 Winter Olympics and the 1999 IIHF World Championship.
“I am excited to welcome Bryan back to the Panthers organization,” said Panthers GM Dale Tallon. “We are honoured to have someone with his hockey experience and insight joining our hockey operations staff.”
