Dave Nonis
Dave Nonis (born May 25, 1966) is a Canadian professional ice hockey executive and former player, currently serving as the assistant general manager and senior vice president of hockey operations for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL).[1][2] Born in Burnaby, British Columbia, Nonis has built a distinguished career in hockey management, including stints as general manager for two NHL franchises, and is recognized for his administrative acumen and contributions to team operations across multiple organizations.[3][4] Nonis began his hockey journey as a defenseman in the Burnaby Minor Hockey Association, progressing to top representative teams and playing Junior A for the Burnaby Bluehawks in the 1982–83 season.[3] He continued his playing career at the University of Maine from 1984 to 1988, where he served as team captain for two seasons and helped lead the Black Bears to back-to-back NCAA championship tournaments, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree upon graduation. Following college, he played one professional season in Denmark with the Aalborg Pirates in 1988–89.[1][5] He then returned to the University of Maine to earn an MBA and served as a graduate assistant coach for the Black Bears in 1989–90 before entering NHL front-office roles.[2] His executive career took off with the Vancouver Canucks, where he joined the organization in 1990 in administrative capacities and rose to director of hockey operations by the 1998–99 season.[2] Nonis became the Canucks' vice president of hockey operations in 2000 and was appointed their ninth—and at age 37, youngest—general manager in 2004, a position he held through the 2007–08 season, overseeing key personnel decisions and contributing to the team's competitive rebuild.[3][6] Following his Vancouver tenure, he served as senior advisor to hockey operations for the Anaheim Ducks in 2008–09 and then as senior vice president and director of hockey operations for the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2009 to 2013.[2] He returned to the GM role with the Maple Leafs in January 2013, managing the team until his dismissal in April 2015 amid organizational changes.[4][2] After a period as a scout and consultant with the Ducks from 2015 to 2019, Nonis was promoted to assistant general manager there from 2019 to 2022.[2] In 2023, he joined the Calgary Flames in his current role, bringing extensive experience in player development, scouting, and strategic operations to support the team's front office.[2] Nonis's career highlights include his pivotal role in shaping rosters for playoff-contending teams and his induction into the Burnaby Sports Hall of Fame for his contributions to hockey in his hometown.[3]Early life and education
Early years in Burnaby
Dave Nonis was born on May 25, 1966, in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.[5] He grew up in the Vancouver suburb, where hockey quickly became a central part of his childhood amid the region's strong passion for the sport.[3] Nonis's family played a key role in fostering his early interest in athletics, particularly hockey. He is the youngest of three brothers, including Mark, who both pursued competitive hockey careers ahead of him, inspiring Dave to follow suit and strive to match their achievements; Mark competed in the WHL and later joined Dave at the University of Maine.[7][8] Nonis is also a second cousin to TSN sportscaster Darren Dreger, connecting him to another prominent figure in Canadian hockey media.[9] His brother Mark later described Dave as the standout player on many of their shared minor hockey teams during youth.[8] From a young age, Nonis immersed himself in Burnaby's local hockey scene, developing his skills as a defenseman through the Burnaby Minor Hockey Association. He progressed steadily, earning spots on the association's top representative teams.[3] These early experiences in Burnaby's organized minor hockey system laid the foundation for his lifelong involvement in the sport, emphasizing teamwork and competitive drive in a community known for producing NHL talent.[3]University of Maine
Nonis attended the University of Maine from 1984 to 1988, where he pursued his education while competing in collegiate hockey. He earned a bachelor's degree upon graduating in 1988. He later earned an MBA from the University of Maine in 1990.[10] As a defenseman for the Maine Black Bears men's ice hockey team, Nonis stood 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) tall and weighed 183 lb (83 kg), shooting left-handed.[1] He exemplified leadership by serving as team captain during the 1986–87 and 1987–88 seasons, guiding the Black Bears to back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances. Nonis's contributions on the ice focused on defensive reliability and playmaking from the blue line, with his most productive offensive season coming in 1986–87 when he recorded 24 points. Over his four-year collegiate career, he played in 153 games, accumulating 78 points (14 goals, 64 assists) and 71 penalty minutes. The following table summarizes his seasonal statistics:| Season | Games Played | Goals | Assists | Points | Penalty Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984–85 | 39 | 6 | 19 | 25 | 18 |
| 1985–86 | 40 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 22 |
| 1986–87 | 39 | 1 | 23 | 24 | 18 |
| 1987–88 | 35 | 4 | 12 | 16 | 13 |
| Total | 153 | 14 | 64 | 78 | 71 |