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    The Hockey News
    The Hockey News
    Jan 5, 2024, 20:36

    In a five-day series, The Hockey News unveils the list featuring the 100 most powerful and influential people in hockey in 2024. Here are those ranked from 100 to 81.

    In a five-day series, The Hockey News unveils the list featuring the 100 most powerful and influential people in hockey in 2024. Here are those ranked from 100 to 81.

    The Top 100 People of Power & Influence in hockey are featured annually in The Hockey News' Money and Power issue, available at THN.com/free.

    In the 25th anniversary of THN's Top 100 People of Power and Influence list, we're spending the next five days unveiling the Century Club, which includes owners, players, execs, media and more.

    Each person on the list this year is ranked in 13 categories of clout, along with many more powerbrokers identified within various silos of expertise. That's all available to find in The Hockey News' Money and Power 2024 Hockey Business Annual.

    Without further ado, here are the people ranked from 100 to 81 on the 25th anniversary Top 100 People of Power & Influence:

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    100. Frank Seravalli, Daily Faceoff president of hockey content

    The tireless Seravalli is a content machine at Daily Faceoff and a frequent guest at other outlets. Well-informed and not afraid to take a stand. Serves as PHWA president.

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    99. Piper Henderson, NHLPA associate counsel

    Swiss army knife of a lawyer worked with a couple high-profile unions before the PA, where she contributed in fields such as diversity and respect training as well as player grievances.

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    98. Jared Maples, NHL senior executive VP, chief security officer

    The safety and security of fans, players, officials and executives is of paramount importance. Maples, formerly of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security, is up to the task. 

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    97. Marie-Philip Poulin, PWHL Montreal center

    'Captain Canada' and an all-around sporting icon – full stop. Poulin has inspired a generation. She’s also a Montreal Canadiens player-development consultant. 

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    96. Emily Kaplan, ESPN hockey reporter

    Another PHWA VP, Kaplan continues to wrack up the air miles with her work between the benches on ESPN broadcasts. Also well-connected for insider news, including trade rumors. 

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    95. Chris Johnston, TSN and The Athletic insider

    Now writes for The Athletic in addition to appearing on TSN and his Steve Dangle-backed podcast. Frequently first on important stories. Sits on the PHWA’s executive board. 

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    94. Pierre LeBrun, The Athletic senior NHL columnist, NHL insider

    An insider who has GMs and other important hockey figures on speed dial, LeBrun’s writing at The Athletic and at TSN frequently sets the agenda for hockey’s topics du jour. 

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    93. Peter DelGiacco, NHL senior executive VP, chief technical officer

    The tech that drives the game is his bailiwick. With the pending draft decentralization, DelGiacco will be working to ensure the infrastructure is in place for flawless execution. 

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    92. Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche center

    Few players are more driven and his dedication to his craft provides blueprint for a younger generation. He’s willed himself into the conversation for league’s greatest player.

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    91. Bruce Cassidy, Vegas Golden Knights coach

    Not only did ‘Butch’ win a Cup in his first year in Vegas, but he’s also the president of the NHL Coaches’ Association’s executive committee, so he’s a big part of the community. 

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    90. Jayna Hefford, PWHL senior vice-president, hockey operations

    From interim CWHL commissioner to PWHPA and now PWHL leader. Hall of Famer Hefford stuck to the vision of one league and helped make it a reality alongside some power players.

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    89. Keith Jones, Philadelphia Flyers, president, alternate governor

    Personable former-player-turned-broadcaster stepped into the front office of his old team. First and foremost, he has to help instill the franchise with a sense of direction. 

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    88. Bill Zito, Florida Panthers GM 

    Nominated for GM of the year twice in his first three seasons with Florida, Zito landed a franchise icon in Matthew Tkachuk. Panthers remain competitive after a long playoff grind.

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    87. Kelly McCrimmon, Vegas Golden Knights GM

    McCrimmon was aggressive in adding top players such as Jack Eichel and Alex Pietrangelo to his roster. His strategy paid off when Vegas hoisted the Stanley Cup in just its sixth season. 

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    86. Richard Smit, NHLPA chief financial officer

    Hockey-related revenue is a crucial part of the union’s purview and it will only get more important as the NHL finds new avenues to expand its revenue base. Smit is on top of it. 

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    85. Brock McGillis, LGBTQ+ advocate and speaker

    Former pro goaltender’s Culture Shift Tour will see him speak to more than 100 high school-aged teams across Canada by February. He’s fostering meaningful change with his advocacy. 

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    84. Heidi Browning, NHL senior executive VP, chief marketing officer

    Browning has a Gretzky-ian mindset: go where the game is going, not where it’s been. Through the Power Players program, she grows the game through innovating. 

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    83. Roland Lee, NHLPA senior counsel and director

    The arbitration specialist finds himself in an important role with the PA, especially since player comparisons have gotten more sophisticated. A rising salary cap is another wrinkle.

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    82. Sean MacLeod, NHL senior VP and managing director, Central Registry

    As well as rubber-stamping all trade movement, MacLeod’s department also oversees the tricky business of helping teams manage their salary cap without running afoul of the rules.

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    81. Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay center

    Two-time Cup-winning captain has been the face of the Lightning for 16 years. That could come to an end for the pending UFA, but the ball appears to be in the Bolts' court. 

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