Senators add Rob DiMaio to hockey operations department

The Senators have hired Rob DiMaio as their director of player personnel and director of professional scouting, per a team announcement Tuesday.

DiMaio, 56, spent the last two seasons with the Ducks as an assistant general manager and GM of their AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls. He left the organization last week for personal reasons, now returning to his home north of the border.

Before his brief stint in Southern California, DiMaio served in various front-office roles with the Blues from 2008 to 2022. After beginning as a pro scout, he was promoted to St. Louis’ director of professional scouting in 2012 and later its director of player personnel in 2015.

In conjunction with GM Doug Armstrong, DiMaio’s decision-making and scouting helped the Blues assemble the roster that won them their first Stanley Cup in franchise history in 2019. 

That was also DiMaio’s first championship after going without a Cup during his 17-year, 894-game playing career with the Bruins, Flyers, Hurricanes, Lightning, Islanders, Rangers and Stars.

DiMaio will now report to Senators GM and president of hockey operations Steve Staios. Ottawa has not had a dedicated director of professional scouting since longtime executive Jim Clark, who remains with the team in a pro scouting role but stepped down from the directorship after the 2021-22 season.