Former Penguins director of amateur scouting Nick Pryor has joined the Colorado Avalanche organization in the same capacity.
In addition, ex-Penguins assistant strength and conditioning coach Alexi Pianosi has joined the Avs as their head strength and conditioning coach.
The Avalanche hired Nick Pryor and Alexi Pianosi, each previously with the Penguins.
Pryor was the director of amateur scouting with the Penguins. Ran the past three drafts.
Pianosi was the Penguins’ strength/conditioning coach. https://t.co/8FcNEj3E7w
— Seth Rorabaugh (@SethRorabaugh) July 24, 2024
Pryor, 33, oversaw scouting for the past three NHL Entry Drafts for the Pittsburgh Penguins, most notably drafting top prospects Brayden Yager (forward, 2023) and Owen Pickering (defenseman, 2022) in the first rounds of their respective drafts. Previously, he worked as an amateur scout for the Philadelphia Flyers from 2013-21.
Penguins Director of Amateur Scouting Nick Pryor on Brayden Yager (1st round, 14) Emil Pieniniemi (3rd round, 91) and Mikhail Ilyin (5th round, 142.) – DP Video courtesy @penguins
– DP Video courtesy @penguins. pic.twitter.com/JPCKvvpfyE
— SportsNet Pittsburgh (@SNPittsburgh) June 30, 2023
He figures to assume the same responsibilities he had with the Penguins’ organization as a member of the Avs organization, which includes amateur scouting for both Europe and North America.
Pianosi had been with the Penguins’ organization since 2017, when he was hired on as part of their strength and conditioning staff. He was their head strength coach for the past five seasons.
Train like the Pittsburgh Penguins from home.
(Or feel free to adapt!)
Strength and Conditioning Coach Alexi Pianosi demonstrates a pushup variation drill. 💪 pic.twitter.com/kuB9VBDORX
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 21, 2020
On July 9, POHO/GM Kyle Dubas and the Penguins named Wes Clark as their VP of player personnel, which effectively gave him control over the club’s amateur, professional, and FA/European scouting. Clark was set to lead Pryor in his department before Pryor’s departure from the organization.
Pryor was, infamously, known among Penguins’ circles as the “last remnant of the Ron Hextall era”, as he was the only notable Hextall hire left on organizational payroll.
Related: Breaking: Penguins Sign Top Draft Pick to Entry-Level Contract
Related: Penguins Hire Wes Clark, Former Maple Leafs Director of Scouting
Related: Kyle Dubas named Canada’s Director of Player Personnel for 4 Nations Face-Off
