Chris Drury continues working his way through his to-do list and in his latest move he has hired Ryan Martin as his Assistant General Manager and General Manager of the Hartford Wolf Pack. This is a key position in the New York Rangers organization as Martin will function as Drury’s righthand man.
The hiring was first reported by Larry Brooks of the New York Post. Martin held the same position with the Detroit Red Wings and as recently as this week he had announced Detroit’s extension of their ECHL affiliation with the Toledo Walleye.
Rangers have hired Ryan Martin as assistant GM and GM of Wolf Pack, Post has learned. Had been longtime member of Red Wings organization, worked with Team USA.
— Larry Brooks (@NYP_Brooksie) August 13, 2021
Martin worked with USA Hockey as well and that is where he got to know Chris Drury who served as GM of the Men’s team at the IIHF World Championships. Martin has been involved in player personnel for Team USA at the World Junior Championships for nine years and is one of the decision makers when it comes to picking a roster.
An article in The Athletic (subscription required) cited Martin as the main reason that Rangers’ draft pick Brett Berard made the gold medal winning team. Berard ended up playing a key role on the team.
Martin has worked with the Red Wings for over 15 years, starting on the legal side of the business and growing into a top executive with Detroit. With the Wings, he was involved in all contract negotiations, strategic planning and in player evaluations for both the NHL club and their AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapid Griffins.
As GM of Grand Rapids, the Griffins won two Calder Cup championships (2013, 2017) in seven years. He is also a former player agent. He is a Connecticut native just like the Rangers’ GM.
All reports are that Martin is considered one of brightest minds in hockey while maintaining a low profile and he has to consider leaving Detroit to come to New York a step up with potential for the future.
In hiring Martin, Drury has poached a key member of the Detroit organization and someone who will handle the important legal aspects of running the organization. That will free Drury up to focus on player personnel issues as he strives to get the team back into the playoffs.