The Arizona Coyotes officially announced that they’ve hired 26-year old John Chayka as their new General Manager. Terms of the contract will not be released.
https://twitter.com/AZCoyotesNews/status/728283146685276160
Chayka was originally hired by the Coyotes last season as Assistant GM/Analytics. Prior to joining the Coyotes, he was the Director of Hockey Operations for Stathletes Inc., a company that he also co-founded.
According to the official press release…
Stathletes is a hockey analytics firm that tracks data through an intensive video analysis process and breaks down the game to provide objective insight into player and team performance tendencies.
Chayka is part of the analytics movement in hockey, using underlying numbers to assess player performance and tendencies. He’ll be the youngest general manager in the history of the NHL.
With the restructuring, current head coach Dave Tippett will also see an increased role assuming the responsibility of Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations/Head Coach. Tippett’s new contract is a five-year deal and under his new title, he’ll also have a say in hockey personnel decisions.
The Coyotes, coming off a fourth place finish in the Pacific Division with a record of 35-39-8, have an impressive group of prospects in their system which should mean a bright future. Chayka’s promotion is a testament to their commitment to using analytics as a means to analyze performance and build around that youth.