Dean Lombardi
Encyclopedia
Dean Lombardi is President and General Manager
of the NHL
's Los Angeles Kings
. He previously served as GM of the San Jose Sharks
, a position he held for seven seasons (1996–2003).
, Massachusetts
. During the 1974-75 season, as a junior at Ludlow High School
, he was an All-Western Massachusetts forward. The next season (1975–76), as a senior, Lombardi was a member of the Wallace Cup champion Springfield Olympics of the New England Junior Hockey League, where he played for Gary Dineen
. Lombardi then played two more seasons for Dineen, and was selected to the All-America Junior hockey team. During his college freshman year he played college hockey at the Division 2 Elmira College
, then transferred to the University of New Haven
, where he was selected the scholar/athlete his senior year, and served as captain his junior and senior years. Lombardi graduated third in his class.
Lombardi later attented law school at Tulane University
, graduating with honors and specializing in labor law. He initially became a player's agent under the famed agent Art Kaminsky, then crossed over into management as assistant general manager to Jack Ferreira
with the Minnesota North Stars
from 1988–1990, then moved with Ferreira to the expansion San Jose Sharks. Lombardi was appinted general manager of the Sharks in 1996. He is the son-in-law
of the Hockey Hall of Fame winger Bob Pulford
, also a longtime NHL general manager.
, he was widely criticized for signing veterans. This move, however, proved to be beneficial while stockpiling the team's farm system with homegrown talent. During his tenure as Sharks GM, he drafted Patrick Marleau
, Brad Stuart
, Scott Hannan
, Marco Sturm
and Marcel Goc
in the first round along with Jonathan Cheechoo
, Mark Smith, Ryane Clowe
and Christian Ehrhoff
in the later rounds.
He also traded for established veterans, including Owen Nolan
, Teemu Selänne
, Adam Graves
, Vincent Damphousse
, Mike Ricci
, Kyle McLaren
, Mike Vernon, Todd Harvey
, Bryan Marchment
and Scott Thornton
, while developing their prospects slowly. All would become vital in the Sharks success during his tenure. The team would increase their point totals for six straight seasons during his guidance, becoming only the second GM in NHL history to accomplish the feat. Only Hockey Hall of Fame
GM Bill Torrey
accomplished the same feat overseeing the dynasty
of the New York Islanders
in the early 1980s.
Lombardi was relieved of his duties, along with head coach Darryl Sutter
, late in the 2002–03 NHL season, a season in which many felt the Sharks would go deep in the playoffs, but struggled with a slow start and never recovered. This could be mainly attributed to the lengthy contract hold-out of star goalie Evgeni Nabokov
.
Shortly after his firing he was hired by the Philadelphia Flyers
as a Western Conference
scout, a position he held until April 2006 when he was appointed president and general manager of the Los Angeles Kings
.
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
of the NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
's Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
. He previously served as GM of the San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, a position he held for seven seasons (1996–2003).
Early life
Lombardi grew up in LudlowLudlow
Ludlow is a market town in Shropshire, England close to the Welsh border and in the Welsh Marches. It lies within a bend of the River Teme, on its eastern bank, forming an area of and centred on a small hill. Atop this hill is the site of Ludlow Castle and the market place...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. During the 1974-75 season, as a junior at Ludlow High School
Ludlow High School
Ludlow High School is the public high school of Ludlow, Massachusetts, United States, located at 500 Chapin Street. It is next to Ludlow Town Hall. The high school is the only public high school in the town and services all of its residents...
, he was an All-Western Massachusetts forward. The next season (1975–76), as a senior, Lombardi was a member of the Wallace Cup champion Springfield Olympics of the New England Junior Hockey League, where he played for Gary Dineen
Gary Dineen
Daniel Patrick "Gary" Dineen was a former Canadian Olympian, career minor league hockey player who played four games for the Minnesota North Stars of the NHL, and best known as a top developer of hockey talent in the Springfield area...
. Lombardi then played two more seasons for Dineen, and was selected to the All-America Junior hockey team. During his college freshman year he played college hockey at the Division 2 Elmira College
Elmira College
Elmira College is a coeducational private liberal arts college located in Elmira, in New York State's Southern Tier region.The college is noted as the oldest college still in existence which granted degrees to women that were the equivalent of those given to men...
, then transferred to the University of New Haven
University of New Haven
The University of New Haven is a private university that combines a liberal arts education with professional training. The university comprises five colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the Tagliatela College of Engineering, the Henry C...
, where he was selected the scholar/athlete his senior year, and served as captain his junior and senior years. Lombardi graduated third in his class.
Lombardi later attented law school at Tulane University
Tulane University
Tulane University is a private, nonsectarian research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States...
, graduating with honors and specializing in labor law. He initially became a player's agent under the famed agent Art Kaminsky, then crossed over into management as assistant general manager to Jack Ferreira
Jack Ferreira
Jack Ferreira is an American ice hockey executive. He is currently acting as the Special Assistant to the General Manager of the NHL's Los Angeles Kings....
with the Minnesota North Stars
Minnesota North Stars
The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...
from 1988–1990, then moved with Ferreira to the expansion San Jose Sharks. Lombardi was appinted general manager of the Sharks in 1996. He is the son-in-law
Son-in-Law
Son-in-Law was a British Thoroughbred racehorse and an influential sire, especially for sport horses.The National Horseracing Museum says that Son-in-Law is "probably the best and most distinguished stayer this country has ever known." Described as "one of the principal influences for stamina in...
of the Hockey Hall of Fame winger Bob Pulford
Bob Pulford
Robert Jesse Pulford is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Los Angeles Kings in the National Hockey League...
, also a longtime NHL general manager.
As GM
Upon taking over the San Jose SharksSan Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, he was widely criticized for signing veterans. This move, however, proved to be beneficial while stockpiling the team's farm system with homegrown talent. During his tenure as Sharks GM, he drafted Patrick Marleau
Patrick Marleau
Patrick Denis Marleau is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League. He serves as the alternate captain for the Sharks during home games...
, Brad Stuart
Brad Stuart
Bradley Stuart is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League .- Playing career :...
, Scott Hannan
Scott Hannan
-External links:...
, Marco Sturm
Marco Sturm
Marco Johann Sturm is a German professional ice hockey winger with the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League . Sturm began his career with EV Landshut of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga, playing with the team from 1995 to 1997. Selected 21st overall in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft by the San Jose...
and Marcel Goc
Marcel Goc
Marcel Goc is a German professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
in the first round along with Jonathan Cheechoo
Jonathan Cheechoo
Jonathan Earl Cheechoo is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Peoria Rivermen of the American Hockey League. During the 2005–06 National Hockey League season, he led the NHL with 56 goals and won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy...
, Mark Smith, Ryane Clowe
Ryane Clowe
Ryane Clowe is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League . He serves as an alternate captain for the Sharks during away games.-Playing career:...
and Christian Ehrhoff
Christian Ehrhoff
Christian Ehrhoff is a German professional ice hockey defenceman who plays for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League...
in the later rounds.
He also traded for established veterans, including Owen Nolan
Owen Nolan
Owen Liam Nolan is a Canadian professional ice hockey player, who is currently a free agent. He has played in the National Hockey League for the Quebec Nordiques, Colorado Avalanche, San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Phoenix Coyotes, Calgary Flames and the Minnesota Wild before signing with...
, Teemu Selänne
Teemu Selänne
Teemu Ilmari Selänne nicknamed "The Finnish Flash" is a Finnish professional ice hockey winger, an alternate captain of the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . An offensive player known for his skill and speed, Selanne has led the NHL in goal-scoring three times and has been named to...
, Adam Graves
Adam Graves
Adam Graves is a former professional hockey player. He is best-known for his ten-year tenure with the New York Rangers. He also played for the Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, and San Jose Sharks...
, Vincent Damphousse
Vincent Damphousse
Vincent Francois Damphousse is a retired Canadian professional hockey who played in the National Hockey League for eighteen seasons. He played centre for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens and San Jose Sharks, winning a Stanley Cup championship with Montreal in 1993...
, Mike Ricci
Mike Ricci
Michael Ricci is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Philadelphia Flyers, Quebec Nordiques, Colorado Avalanche, San Jose Sharks and Phoenix Coyotes....
, Kyle McLaren
Kyle McLaren
Kyle Edgar McLaren is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman.-Playing career:McLaren was drafted by the Boston Bruins in the first round, ninth-overall, during the 1995 NHL Entry Draft...
, Mike Vernon, Todd Harvey
Todd Harvey
Todd Douglas Ross Harvey is a former professional ice hockey forward. He was selected in the first round of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, 9th overall, by the Dallas Stars, following a successful junior career, which included being the captain of the Canadian team at the World Junior Hockey...
, Bryan Marchment
Bryan Marchment
Bryan William Marchment is a former Canadian ice hockey defenceman. He spent his NHL career with the Winnipeg Jets, Chicago Blackhawks, Hartford Whalers, Edmonton Oilers, Tampa Bay Lightning, San Jose Sharks, Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs and Calgary Flames...
and Scott Thornton
Scott Thornton (ice hockey player)
Scott C. Thornton is a retired professional ice hockey winger.Thornton was drafted in the first round by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft. He played thirty-three games for the team his rookie season, accumulating one goal and three assists...
, while developing their prospects slowly. All would become vital in the Sharks success during his tenure. The team would increase their point totals for six straight seasons during his guidance, becoming only the second GM in NHL history to accomplish the feat. Only Hockey Hall of Fame
Hockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup...
GM Bill Torrey
Bill Torrey
William A. Torrey was a General Manager and executive in the National Hockey League, most famous for building up the expansion New York Islanders into a dynasty that won four consecutive Stanley Cups...
accomplished the same feat overseeing the dynasty
Dynasty
A dynasty is a sequence of rulers considered members of the same family. Historians traditionally consider many sovereign states' history within a framework of successive dynasties, e.g., China, Ancient Egypt and the Persian Empire...
of the New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the early 1980s.
Lombardi was relieved of his duties, along with head coach Darryl Sutter
Darryl Sutter
Darryl John Sutter is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey forward and coach, and former general manager of the Calgary Flames in the National Hockey League...
, late in the 2002–03 NHL season, a season in which many felt the Sharks would go deep in the playoffs, but struggled with a slow start and never recovered. This could be mainly attributed to the lengthy contract hold-out of star goalie Evgeni Nabokov
Evgeni Nabokov
Evgeni Viktorovich Nabokov is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender who is playing for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League .Nabokov was selected by San Jose in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft...
.
Shortly after his firing he was hired by the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
as a Western Conference
Western Conference (NHL)
The Western Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Eastern Conference....
scout, a position he held until April 2006 when he was appointed president and general manager of the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
.