Steve Staios is now the former president and general manager of the Hamilton Bulldogs, according to the OHL franchise.
The executive, hired by the Bulldogs in 2015 as president following a three-season stint in player development with the Toronto Maple Leafs, is set to join the Edmonton Oilers as special advisor to hockey operations.
In a statement on Thursday afternoon, owner Michael Andlauer said assistant GM Matt Turek has been appointed as the interim general manager effective immediately.
“I am incredibly proud of Steve and forever grateful for everything he has done both on and off the ice for our city and our fans,” said Andlauer.
“I have no doubt in my mind that his experience and success over the past seven years with the Bulldogs will make him an equally successful executive at the NHL level.”
Staios had been at the helm of the Bulldogs since the 2016-17 season leading them to the playoffs every season and winning the 2018 and 2022 OHL championships.
He returns to the franchise where he spent eight seasons as a player, skating in 573 games and participating in a Stanley Cup Final in 2006.
Staios told 900 CHML’s Good Morning Hamilton that the opportunity with the Oilers came up amid regular dialogue he typically had with NHL clubs through his role with the Bulldogs.
He revealed a trip to Edmonton about ten days ago to spend time with Oilers President and GM Ken Holland who had expressed interest in Staios services.
“The environment he’s created within his staff really seemed … a lot like the things that we did here in Hamilton, so very intrigued by the opportunity and then really intrigued by the role as well,” Staios said of his new position.
The role Staios will take on with the NHL club is similar to his former position with the Leafs which fills a gap in player development in Edmonton.
“They’ll need some help in Ontario as well from an amateur scouting perspective, so obviously knowing the players like I do in this area, I think that’s going to be a great benefit to them,” remarked Staios.
Staios’ replacement, Turek, first joined the Bulldogs as a scout in the 2015-16 season.
The Bulldogs 2022-2023 OHL home opener goes Saturday night against the Oshawa Generals 7 p.m. at FirstOntario Centre.