Penguins appoint Vukie Mpofu as Director of Hockey Operations and Legal Affairs

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The Pittsburgh Penguins named Vukie Mpofu the new director of hockey operations and legal affairs.

The 27-year-old has spent the past two seasons with the Los Angeles Kings as head of hockey operations and legal affairs, helping with player contract negotiations, handling salary cap and collective bargaining issues and helping with labor contracts.

“We are very excited to have Vukie Mpofu join the Penguins management team today. Vukie has accumulated great experience over the past several seasons in Vegas and Los Angeles after graduating from UCLA Law School,” said Director of Hockey Operations Kyle Dubas in a press release. .

“Upon completing this hire, Vukie came highly recommended by everyone he interacted with in the game and was most impressive throughout. He has great potential and we look forward to welcoming him to Pittsburgh.”

Mpofu, originally from Saskatoon, graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He received his Juris Doctor at the UCLA School of Law, specializing in media, entertainment, technology and sports law.

He played parts of two seasons with the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League from 2012-14.

It’s Dubas’ second front office hire since becoming director of hockey operations earlier this month. He recently hired Jason Spezza as the team’s assistant manager.