NHL's Sharks hire ex-Dodgers GM Colletti as pro scout

The San Jose Sharks made a notable addition to their front office Friday, hiring former Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti as a professional scout.

His primary focus will be scouting the American Hockey League, the NHL's top developmental league.

Colletti served as Dodgers GM from 2006-14. Prior to his hiring, the Dodgers were in a nine-year slump during which they made one playoff appearance. The club reached the postseason five times over Colletti's nine-year tenure and posted a 783-674 record (.537 win percentage) with only one losing season (2010).

Following the 2014 campaign, Colletti was replaced by Farhan Zaidi as new president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman shook up the front office. Zaidi has since moved on to become president of baseball ops for the San Francisco Giants, while Friedman has assumed the GM role.

"Ned has an extensive background working in professional sports and talent evaluation and he will bring a fresh perspective to our organization's evaluation process," Sharks GM Doug Wilson said in a press release. "This was a unique opportunity to add someone of Ned's experience to our staff."

According to the release, Colletti "religiously attended" Blackhawks games while he grew up in Chicago.

After he moved out of his GM role with the Dodgers, Spectrum SportsNet LA hired Colletti as a baseball analyst.