Port Colborne, ON – The Niagara Whalers announced on Monday the hiring of former Edmonton Oilers Captain and Stanley Cup Champion, Ethan Moreau as the team’s Director of Hockey Operations.

Moreau began his career playing Junior C in Orillia at the young age of fifteen years old. He would then move up to the Major Junior level a year later where he would play for the Niagara Falls Thunder in the OHL. Moreau spent four years in the OHL, and was drafted to the NHL in 1994 in the first round at #14 Overall by the Chicago Blackhawks. Moreau made his NHL debut in 1995, where he would split time between the Blackhawks and their affiliate team the Indianapolis Ice. Moreau spent three more years with the Blackhawks before being traded to the Edmonton Oilers in 1999. Moreau would spend the next ten years with the Edmonton Oilers, where he would help bring the Oilers within one win of a Stanley Cup in 2006, won the King Clancy Award for Leadership and Humanitarianism in 2009, and was the Captain of the team from 2007-2010. Moreau then signed with the Blue Jackets in 2010-2011 before moving to the Los Angeles Kings for his final year in 2011-2012 where they would capture the Stanley Cup, capping off an incredible career for Moreau.

Moreau will run the Whalers Hockey Operations Department which will include recruiting, skill development with the players, and assisting with players hockey career advancement. Ethan will bring expertise and knowledge that will elevate the program to the next level.

“It’s not every day you see a high caliber NHL player who was a Captain, Stanley Cup Champion, and recognized across the NHL for his Leadership and Humanitarianism join a Junior A team,” said Team President Rodney Giove, “Having this type of player run our hockey operations and working with the players individually is going to be a once in a life time experience for the players. I’m excited to see the development and advancements that come from this.”

“Ethan came highly recommended and we are excited to add him to the hockey program,” Rodney Giove continued “and he brings a wealth of professional NHL experience and knowledge to our hockey club. His passion of the game for the game and beliefs in developing players fits in with our vision and motto.”

Prior to joining the Whalers, the Huntsville native spent three seasons as a professional scout for the Montreal Canadiens during the 2012-2015 seasons. Moreau later was an Assistant Coach for Niagara University NCAA Division I and later coached Junior B in the GOJHL as Head Coach of the Fort Erie Meteors.

With his recent experience at the NHL and NCAA Division I levels, Ethan will bring the next wave of analytics used to help players individually and as a team. Players will be receiving game day video sessions, individually growth management video sessions, and on ice skill development sessions to help further their game with the necessary skating and puck skills.

The GMHL is proud to see this high caliber hire by the Niagara Whalers, and their dedication to the development of their players. The Whalers will step on the ice for their home opener at the Vale Health and Wellness Center on September 13^th where they will host the Tottenham Steam.

[Fun Fact: With the Whalers hiring of Moreau, there are now three Stanley Cup Champions working within the GMHL, with six Stanley Cups between them. Head Coach of the Rosetown Red Wings Kevin McClelland  (Edmonton Oilers; 4 Stanley Cups), Head Coach of the Bradford Rattlers Ric Jackman (Anaheim Ducks; 1 Stanley Cup), and Director of Hockey Operations for the Niagara Whalers Ethan Moreau (LA Kings; 1 Stanley Cup).]