Habster:
It should be noted that I translated sections (the quotes) of the above article from La Presse for the below comments.
The Habs getting former Ottawa Senators director of scouting, Frank Jay is quite a coup. He is considered one of the brightest minds in the hockey scouting world. He was responsible for the Senators selecting players like Jason Spezza, Anton Volchenkov, Tim Gleason, Ray Emery, Christoph Schubert, Patrick Eaves and Andrej Meszaros to name a few. He also helped the New Jersey Devils draft some late round gems and kept their prospect pool full of talented young players.
Jay was signed to assist an already talented amateur scouting department led by his good friend, Trevor Timmins who worked with Frank Jay in Ottawa.
“I loved my years with Trevor and Jarmo( Jarmo Kekalainen, Ottawa’s european scout) in Ottawa” said Jay Frank. “We were good friends before we became work colleague. I need this kind of working atmosphere. I am really pleased to find Trevor, but when he called me, I told him that he did not need my help with the work he had done in recent years “
Jay will scout hockey talent throughout North America for the upcoming 2008 NHL draft and hopefully his contract will be extended beyond the 2008 draft as he seems to want to stay,
“This is the agreement for the time being” said Jay “But I hope to continue with the team. I am no longer very young, I still have a few years, so it would be nice to take my retirement with the Canadiens organization. “
The feeling is mutual as the Canadiens and especially Trevor Timmins feel they have pulled a “coup de grace” with the addition of Frank Jay to the scouting staff, “Being able to get our hands on a scout of his talent does not happen every day” said an elated Trevor Timmins.
The Montreal Canadiens were in good hands with a very talented amateur scouting department which has made the Canadiens prospect pool one of the deepest in the NHL. The addition of Frank Jay hasn’t gotten to much attention in the media but rest assured his presence will be felt for years to come when the Habs continue to develop great young talent.
Globe and Mail: Wharnsby: Habs bolster scouting staff