Sidney Crosby Revealed to Have Played Big Part in Former Penguins Staffer Getting New Job in Columbus

The Columbus Blue Jackets have made a number of roster additions on their hockey operations staff, including the hiring of head equipment manager Paul DeFazio.

Paul DeFazio brings nearly three decades of experience with 27 years of service in the Pittsburgh Penguins organization.

His previous duties were as assistant equipment manager for the NHL team from 2001-13, then again from 2018-25, and head equipment manager for the AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins from 2013-18.

DeFazio came with sterling recommendations, most prominently a stellar letter of support from Sidney Crosby, per NHL insider Aaron Portzline.

Sidney Crosby, who is friends with Blue Jackets Director of Player Development Rick Nash from their Team Canada days, phoned personally to recommend DeFazio for the job.

Other staff additions include Aron Augustitus, who moves up to video coach after serving as a video assistant for five years.

Cam Briere fills the assistant video coach position, having served at the ECHL's Maine Mariners as video coach and director of hockey operations.

Inar Treiguts has been hired by the team as its new massage therapist, having worked for the Detroit Red Wings and Atlanta Thrashers previously.

Development coaches Anthony and Matthew Donskov, who have run Donskov Hockey Development in central Ohio for 25 years and served as guest coaches for recent Blue Jackets development camps, are now officially on board.

Joining Columbus as well is Ty Eigner, who was the coach at Bowling Green State University for 14 seasons, including six as head coach.

These additions are intended to supplement the player development pipeline and support staff infrastructure as the Blue Jackets construct for long-term success.