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Vegas names ‘outstanding hockey man’ McCrimmon assistant GM

Brandon Wheat Kings v Kelowna Rockets

Brandon Wheat Kings v Kelowna Rockets

Getty Images

As earlier reports suggested, George McPhee has found his right-hand man.

On Tuesday, McPhee and the Vegas expansion team announced they’ve hired WHL Brandon owner/GM/coach Kelly McCrimmon to serve as assistant GM.

“Kelly is an outstanding hockey man and we are delighted to have him join us,” McPhee said in a release. “His extensive experience and consistently high level of performance in the game will help us build a strong and successful organization and team.

“His hockey acumen, character, and work ethic are perfect for us.”

McCrimmon, 55, makes an awful lot of sense for Vegas. He’s literally done everything in Brandon short of selling popcorn -- though we can’t verify he hasn’t -- and his ability to serve and thrive in a variety of hockey operation roles should be a boon to Vegas, which will need to build an organization entirely from scratch.

It’s also probably worth noting that, last year, McCrimmon coached Nolan Patrick, considered right now to be the No. 1 available talent at the 2017 draft.

That draft, of course, will be Vegas’ first and the club will have relatively decent odds at winning the lottery.

McCrimmon has been on the radar of NHL clubs in the past. Last summer, he reportedly turned down an offer to join Toronto’s front office.