NEW: Mike Grier to Replace Brian Leetch as Rangers’ Advisor

New Rangers' President and GM Chris Drury is wasting no time assembling his new front office team.

The Rangers' announced earlier today that Mike Grier has officially been hired as the team's new Hockey Operations Adviser, a move that had been rumored for the past few days, but not confirmed by the club until today. Grier replaces Brian Leetch, who was with the club in that capacity since 2017 and resigned from the organization last week. Grier comes to the Rangers' with over 1,000 games of NHL playing experience, and multiple years of experience in coaching and front office roles.

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Grier was most recently an assistant coach with the New Jersey Devils, serving on John Hynes' staff for two seasons before the Devils cleaned house in the coaches room. He spent four seasons as a pro scout for the Chicago Blackhawks before that, evaluating professional hockey players across the country and helping the Blackhawks during an important time in their franchise.

Grier was a 9th round draft pick of the Edmonton Oilers in the 1993 NHL Draft. For context, Grier was one of just five players to score a goal in the NHL from that round of the draft. He also played more games in the NHL (1,060) than that year's first overall pick, and scored more points, too.

Grier's role with the team will consist of the following:

Grier will work with the hockey operations department in both hockey-related decisions and off-ice player and prospect development. - NY Rangers

Grier will also work with the Rangers and their AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolfpack, in an on-ice capacity.

Grier was known as a rugged two-way player during his playing days, a style that matches the Rangers' self-proclaimed need for more grit and tenacity on their roster. Grier's scouting experience and knowledge of the game, from an era of hockey that required toughness and physical play, will help Chris Drury and Company complete a roster turnover that will hopefully lead the Rangers to the postseason next year.