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Dennis Hextall, who played in the NHL for 13 seasons, has been offered the post as commissioner of the International Hockey League, he and a league source confirmed Thursday afternoon.
League insiders declined to comment, but several sources told The Journal Gazette that Hextall and Rob DeGagne, who played in the first incarnation of the IHL during the 1986-87 season, are the finalists for the position.
An official announcement is expected next week.
Hextall, 66, played in the NHL for the New York Rangers, California Golden Seals, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota North Stars, Detroit Red Wings and Washington Capitals, totaling 681 games as a left wing from 1968 to 1980.
He worked as an automotive manufacturing sales representative from 1980 to 2008, when he said the economic downturn cost him his job. He has since been consulting with youth hockey organizations.
"I'm looking at this opportunity (with the IHL) as a way of giving back to hockey and having some fun," Hextall said.
Asked about the biggest issues facing the IHL, Hextall said: "I think there are two things we need to look at. First, the financial stability of the league. I know there were a couple franchises (recently) who were on the fringe (of folding). And then, I think the credibility of the league is another major thing. They've got to figure out exactly where everybody is going. You get those two things in place and I think what they'd like to see (as a league) is an expansion of up to 8 to 10 teams. The big things now is, with this economy, how do you create revenue for the current franchises?"
DeGagne, 44, is an insurance salesman based in Thunder Bay, Ontario. He played for the Peoria Rivermen in the old IHL. He declined to comment. Michael Franke, the head of the IHL's Board of Governors, also wouldn't comment.
