The Panthers have made Brett Peterson the “first Black assistant general manager in NHL history” after hiring him for the position yesterday, according to Greg Wyshynski of ESPN.com. Peterson had served as Wasserman Media Group VP/Hockey. He played five seasons in the minors, where current Panthers GM Bill Zito signed him as a client during Zito’s career as an agent. Peterson later would join Zito's Acme World Sports as an agent and rep players including Bruins G Tuukka Rask. Peterson will take an “active role in the Florida Panthers Foundation's community-based programs, which seek to expand hockey's reach in the community.” Zito said of the hire, “If it means that we're expanding opportunities for people in hockey, then I'm humbled. But this was a hockey hire" (ESPN.com, 11/17). Zito asserted that race "didn’t factor into the decision, noting that he and Peterson became 'like brothers' in the years they worked in the agency business." Zito: "I never considered race at all. Obviously, Brett’s résumé is second to none. Having worked with him, and knowing his character, the Panthers are lucky to have him” (BOSTON GLOBE, 11/17).
"BIG THING FOR OUR SPORT": Peterson said that he "hadn’t given much thought to being the first Black assistant GM until recently." Peterson: "I didn’t think much about it until everything kind of hit me. But it obviously is a big thing for our sport and a lot of other people in the world. I’m excited and truly honored. I’m excited to maybe be a part of something that can create something for somebody else.” THE HOCKEY NEWS' Ken Campbell noted Peterson's hiring marks the latest sign that "front offices in sports leagues are opening up." It is expected that NHLer Joel Ward soon "will be named an assistant coach with the Henderson Silver Knights of the AHL, the primary affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights" (SI.com, 11/17).
