How a Simple Letter, and a Bit of Luck, Put Jimmy Devellano on Top

I had the opportunity this past week to meet Jimmy Devellano, the Detroit Red Wings’ Senior vice-president and alternate governor. Speaking at the Toronto chapter of SIHR (Society for International Hockey Research) monthly meeting, Devellano recanted his early life growing up in Cabbagetown and Scarborough. Despite being an admitted lousy hockey player, his passion and quest for a career in the game drove him to write a letter to Lynn Patrick, general manager of the expansion St. Louis Blues in 1966. Devellano just wanted the opportunity to be a scout and said that he would work for free for the team. Patrick agreed and after a year, he was a full time scout for the Blues. After a five-year tenure, he was let go by the Blues due to personnel issues. As luck would have it, the NHL was expanding again. He made a trip to the NHL draft that July  and got in contact with the expansion New York Islanders GM Bill Torre. After a dismal first season in Long Island, Devallano and T...