Ken Holland was introduced Tuesday afternoon as new president of hockey operations and general manager of the Edmonton Oilers, ending a three-decade-plus tenure with the Detroit Red Wings.
Holland, 63, was replaced as Red Wings’ general manager by Steve Yzerman last month and was promoted to senior vice president. But the move upstairs was short-lived for Holland, who wanted to remain an active, day-to-day decision-maker for an NHL organization.
The Oilers signed Holland to a five-year contract worth $25 million.
“When it comes to hiring someone with experience and credibility and authority, and to make an important impact which is what we need, nobody comes close,” Oilers owner Daryl Katz said at Tuesday’s press conference introducing Holland.