George Parros named head of NHL player safety

One year removed from joining the NHL's Department of Player Safety, George Parros has been named the new head of the department, the league announced in a statement Thursday.

In addition to the year he's already spent in the league's front office handling disciplinary decisions, Parros knows a thing or two about getting physical. The longtime enforcer racked up 1,092 penalty minutes across 474 career regular-season NHL games.

"George possesses one of the brightest and most innovative young minds in our game," commissioner Gary Bettman said.

"He has immersed himself in all aspects of player safety during the last 12 months and his selection to run this department not only will maintain the stability and consistency in decision-making that have been essential to the department’s success but also will enable it to continue evolving in step with our game."

Current vice president of player safety and fellow former NHLer Stephane Quintal will step down to pursue other opportunities, but is expected to stay on in his current role until the end of the 2017-18 season to help ease the transition period for Parros.

According to TSN's Pierre LeBrun, Parros is prepared to enforce stricter punishment for slashing and non-hockey plays.