The Columbus Blue Jackets have named assistant general manager Bill Zito the general manager of the American Hockey League’s Lake Erie Monsters the team announced on Tuesday.
Zito has been in his role with the Blue Jackets for two years. According to Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch, Zito has been responsible for many of the club’s big contract negotiations including Ryan Johansen, Brandon Dubinsky and Sergei Bobrovsky.
“I’m honored and excited to take on this challenge,” Zito said in a statement. “I look forward to working with the Lake Erie organization.”
Zito will maintain his current role with the Jackets and oversee all hockey operations efforts for Lake Erie.
The 50-year-old replaces Chris MacFarland who left the Blue Jackets in May to join the Colorado Avalanche.
Prior to joining the Blue Jackets in August 2013, Zito spent two decades as an agent Acme World Sports representing the likes of Tim Thomas, Tuukka Rask and Kimmo Timonen.