Stars hire Gainey as senior advisor

The Dallas Stars have agreed to terms with former GM Bob Gainey to return to the team as a senior advisor.

Gainey, who recently ended a similar job with the Montreal Canadiens, is expected to be an important voice for GM Joe Nieuwendyk, as well as team president and CEO Jim Lites and others in the organization.

"I have great faith in the vision Tom Gaglardi, Joe Nieuwendyk and Jim Lites have in rebuilding this franchise," Gainey said in a statement released by the team. "I'm looking forward to rejoining the organization, and lending my advice and guidance as we strive to get the Stars back on top."

Gainey, 58, is a five-time Stanley Cup champion as a player with the Canadiens, and he also led the Stars to the only Stanley Cup in franchise history in 1999 as GM. He was hired first as a coach by the Minnesota North Stars in 1990 and was named GM in 1992. He stepped down as coach of the Stars in 1996 and as general manager in 2002. He worked with the Canadiens in several roles -- including GM and interim coach -- from 2006-12.

Gainey said he expects to live in Montreal and come to Texas for lengthy stays where he could split time between Dallas and Cedar Park, home of the AHL Texas Stars, Dallas' top affiliate. He also will do a lot of his work on the phone or through email, according to the paper.

"I'm extremely pleased that we are adding a respected hockey man the caliber of Bob Gainey as a senior advisor to our staff," Nieuwendyk said. "His experience and wisdom in this business is second-to-none, and he'll be an incredible asset as we continue to build our team to championship levels."