NHL COO John Collins Leaving League

A major departure from the NHL has occurred as the league’s Chief Operating Officer John Collins is leaving for a new business venture.

The move was announced via press release on Tuesday night.

“John leaves a lasting mark,” said Commissioner Gary Bettman in a statement. “His energy, creativity and skill at building strategic partnerships helped drive significant revenue growth for our League. We are grateful for his many contributions and wish him the best in his new endeavors.”

Collins has been the COO of the NHL since 2008, and was a major reason behind the NHL’s Winter Classic as well as the league’s television deal with both NBC and Rogers in the United States and Canada, respectively.

“I’m grateful to Commissioner Bettman for his leadership and friendship over the past nine years,” Collins said. “He had a vision for extending the reach of the NHL and supported us completely as we set out to make the game as big as it deserves to be. The NHL’s future is filled with promise and potential and I will admire and cheer the League’s successes to come on the global stage.”

Collins has also been responsible for the NHL’s partnerships with Major League Baseball Advanced Media, GoPro and Adidas.