Habs Hire Bobby Kinsella

USHL.com

Montreal Canadiens new and improved General Manager Marc Bergevin has just made his first front office hiring and it is …scout Bobby Kinsella. I’ve never heard of him either but it looks like he’s a good one, he’s the guy who originally scouted Max Pacioretty.

Kinsella will be based in Chicago and will scout the midwest. His primary focus will be the United States Hockey League (USHL), the NCAA, and top-tier high school and Midget programs. Kinsella will be leaving his current job as assistant coach and director of scouting for the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints. The Saints won the USHL’s championship Clark Cup in 2010-2011. Dubuque’s General Manager, former Hab Jim Montgomery says, “Bobby’s got a great eye for talent and an incredible work ethic. Great hire by Marc Bergevin.”

Kinsella had previously spent five years with the Sioux City Musketeers of the USHL as assistant coach and director of scouting, which is where he recruited Max Pacioretty. He has also served as an amateur scout for the New York Islanders in 2008-2009.

In Montreal for an orientation session, the Brockton, Massachusetts native said, “It’s a fantastic opportunity for me, and I’m excited about working for a first-class organization that does things the right way.”

Rumours

Scott Mellanby resigned as assistant coach of the St. Louis Blues saying he doesn’t want to coach but is open to opportunities in management. Rumours say he’s heading to Montreal.

Rumours also say Rick Dudley, the Leafs director of player personnel, is minutes away from being the next Assistant GM of Montreal. However, as he knows all the secret Leafs secrets (all three of them), he will not be allowed to participate in the upcoming draft in June.

One rumour that’s been squelched is the one about Alain Vigneault being the Habs next coach. Vigneault just signed a two-year contract extension with the Vancouver Canucks.