Ex-NHL superstar returns to the league, albeit in a different capacity

As with many players, once their playing careers are over, they look to transition into new roles within hockey, albeit in a front office or in front of a camera. Some players pursue jobs as executives, in player development, as analysts or even as scouts. Heatley can now add his name to the list of players who have set their sights on establishing themselves as a scout.

Daniel Briere and the Philadelphia Flyers continue a busy offseason, hiring several new members of their hockey operations staff this week. One of those hires was Heatley as a pro scout.

Heatley is a 2-time 50-goal scorer, both in Ottawa in 2005-06 and 2006-07. He's also a 2-time 40-goal scorer, once with the Atlanta Thrashers in 2002-03 and once with Ottawa in 2007-08. He also notched 39 goals in back-to-back seasons in 2008-09 and 2009-10 with Ottawa and San Jose, respectively. Heatley knows a thing or two about burying the biscuit.

Now, it goes without saying that not all former NHLers are strong talent evaluators. However, Heatley must have impressed Flyers staff, Briere in particular, during the interview process. Heatley and Briere also played together in Switzerland for SC Bern during the lockout in 2004-05, so there's some familiarity there as well.

During his NHL career, Heatley, a dual citizen of Canada and Germany, spent time in Atlanta, Ottawa, San Jose, Minnesota and Anaheim. Congrats to Heater on his new role in Philly.