Oilers name Chiarelli president, GM

Apr 24, 2015 - 8:19 PM Edmonton, AB (SportsNetwork.com) - The Edmonton Oilers named Peter Chiarelli president of hockey operations and general manager on Friday.

Chiarelli was fired by the Bruins last week after a nine-year stint as GM. He replaces incumbents Craig MacTavish, who had been the GM since the 2013-14 season, and Kevin Lowe, who will move out of hockey operations but remain vice chair of Oilers Entertainment Group.

"We are delighted to bring a person of Peter's considerable hockey knowledge and experience to the Edmonton Oilers," said Oilers CEO Bob Nicholson. "Peter has had success at all levels of the game and we look forward to his leadership."

During his time with the Bruins, Chiarelli built a team that won the Stanley Cup in 2011 and returned to the Cup Finals in 2013. However, his desire to keep the core together left the club hamstrung by the salary cap.

Boston missed the playoffs this season for the first time since 2007.

Edmonton's postseason drought extends to 2006, when it made a surprising run to the Stanley Cup Finals before losing to the Carolina Hurricanes in seven games.

The Oilers, who went 24-44-14 this season, won the draft lottery, and are expected to select the supremely talented Connor McDavid with the No. 1 pick.

The team also announced that Patrick LaForge has stepped down as president and chief operating officer.