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Ron Francis Opens Up On Returning To Penguins Organization originally appeared on SportsNet Pittsburgh. Add SportsNet Pittsburgh as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Pittsburgh Penguins brought Ron Francis back to the organization.
Francis played parts of eight seasons with the Penguins, helping the team win back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1991 and 1992. After his playing career, Francis has been working in management, which included being the president of hockey operations for the Carolina Hurricanes, and then the GM of the Seattle Kraken.
After being promoted to the president of hockey operations of the Kraken, he stepped down from the role a year later. Then, this offseason, it was announced he was hired by the Penguins as a special advisor, and he’s thankful to be back in Pittsburgh.
“I got off the plane and, catching a ride into town, it kind of felt like I was coming home,” Francis said. “I’ve had a lot of people see me on the street, shake my hand and welcome me back to Pittsburgh, which is always really gratifying.
“It was a fun part of my career here. We had a lot of success, a lot of good memories and I’ve always had a soft spot for the people of Pittsburgh and the fans of the Penguins. It’s great to be back as part of the organization.”
Francis, meanwhile, is also glad to be working alongside Kyle Dubas, as the two have tried to work together for years, as they have plenty of respect for each other.
“Kyle and I have known each other probably his whole life,” Francis said. “We had an opportunity when I got let go in Carolina. I was looking at joining him in Toronto. He got let go in Toronto (in 2023), I was trying to bring him to Seattle and then he (was hired by the Penguins). It finally worked out that we could work together.
“As I said to him when he called, it was important for me. I know him, I know he’s a man of integrity, I know he’s a man of honesty and that was important to me when I took this position.”
Francis adds more experience to the Penguins' front office and is well-respected by the fans for what he did as a player.
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