NHL Seattle introduces Ricky Olczyk as assistant GM

NHL Seattle cracking down on ticket brokers

Ticket deposits opened up in March 2018 -- months before NHL approved a pro hockey team in Seattle. Within 12 minutes, 10,000 people had put down a deposit.

SEATTLE – Longtime hockey executive Ricky Olcyk has joined NHL Seattle as the team’s assistant general manager.

Olczyk, the younger brother of Hall of Famer Ed Olczyk, has extensive experience with front office duties. Olczyk was most recently a pro scout for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

He’s a familiar face for Seattle’s GM Ron Francis. The two worked together with the Carolina Hurricanes for four seasons, and before that, Olczyk served as the assistant general manager for the Edmonton Oilers for six seasons.

"I am extremely excited and honored for the opportunity to help establish a team culture with Ron and Alexandra (Mandrycky), "Olczyk said. "Plus, to do it in Seattle, a city with such great vibrancy. I love the idea of building from the ground up."

Olczyk will be instrumental as the team prepares for its inaugural season in 2021-22.

Among his duties is shaping the team roster by managing team salaries and keeping it below the $81.5 million cap.