Sault Ste. Marie's Kyle Dubas has landed on his feet, assuming the post of president of hockey operations for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Dubas was fired last month after nine seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, including five as general manager.
The news of his new job was announced this morning.
"On behalf of my family, we are thrilled to join the Pittsburgh Penguins organization and all of the incredible people across Fenway Sports Group," Dubas said, in a statement released by the team. "I am deeply appreciative of the opportunity that lies ahead of me. The ownership group, FSG leadership and the Penguins staff on the ground in Pittsburgh have been absolutely outstanding. Everyone has demonstrated a clear commitment to building a best-in-class hockey operation."
The ownership group said they are "thrilled to welcome Kyle to the Pittsburgh Penguins."
"Throughout his career, Kyle has proven himself as a forward-thinking hockey mind and embodies all of the qualities — integrity, intelligence, and an unwavering commitment to building a winning culture — that we value in a leader at the Penguins and within Fenway Sports Group," the owners said in the statement. "We have done exhaustive work narrowing down candidates throughout this process, but it did not take long to be impressed by Kyle, the reputation he's cultivated for himself in and around the National Hockey League, and his vision for the organization on and off the ice."
"His passion for the sport and ability to foster collaborative relationships with his staff, coaches and players is the type of leadership style that will undoubtedly resonate with the front office and set us on a new path for success in the near-term with our current championship-caliber core and beyond with a commitment to sustainable, long-term success," the statement continues.
In his hometown, Dubas' story is already the stuff of legend. A dressing room attendant for the Soo Greyhounds when he was a teenager, he eventually worked his way up to become the Hounds' general manager before being lured to the Leafs' front office in 2014 as an assistant GM.
Four years later — at the tender age of 32 — Dubas was promoted to GM of the Leafs, taking over from Lou Lamoriello in May 2018 as part of a succession plan under the direction of team president Brendan Shanahan.
The Leafs announced on May 19 they were "parting ways" with Dubas, shortly after the team's second-round playoff exit at the hands of the Florida Panthers.