PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Penguins announced Ron Francis will rejoin the organization as Special Advisor, Hockey Operations. Francis will report to president of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas.

Francis will assist the Penguins' leadership group with strategic planning, roster construction, and optimization of internal systems. He is also set to provide expertise during the NHL Draft, free agency, and training camp.

Francis, who is 63 years old, previously served as the Seattle Kraken's president of hockey operations and general manager for six years. He announced in April 2026 that he would step down from his role with the Kraken.

Francis played for the Pittsburgh Penguins from 1991 through 1998. During his time as a player with the Penguins, he won two Stanley Cups in 1991 and 1992. He also served as captain of the team for the 1997-98 season after Mario Lemieux's retirement.

Throughout his 23-year career in the NHL, Francis played for the Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes, Hartford Whalers, and Toronto Maple Leafs. His playing career awards included one Selke Trophy, three Lady Byng Memorial Trophies, and one King Clancy Trophy.

"Ron has a deep affinity for the city of Pittsburgh and the Penguins," Dubas said. "He cherishes his time spent here as a player where he had tremendous success and is an outstanding ambassador for the Penguins and the city of Pittsburgh." Dubas added, "Ron's playing experience, management experience, and familiarity with the Penguins and Pittsburgh will be a great benefit to our organization and all members of our management team. We look forward to having a person of Ron's experience and character in our front office as we continue to work to build the Penguins back into a perennial Stanley Cup contender."

No independent assessment of Ron Francis’s claims was available.