Hawks bring Savard back in new role

Denis Savard is back where he belongs - in the Blackhawks family.

Savard, fired as Hawks coach on Oct. 16 just four games into the season, was hired as a team ambassador on Thursday, but it's a position that will include more than just shaking hands and greeting fans.

Savard will do some pro scouting and likely be working with some of the club's prospects in the minors and juniors, according to general manager Dale Tallon.

"I talked to Savvy at length (Wednesday) and I'm excited for him," Tallon said. "I think it's great for our organization, and we'll certainly use him every way possible."

Tallon said because Savard is "more current," he'll be used differently than ambassadors Bobby Hull, Stan Mikita and Tony Esposito.

"He's more familiar with other players and other teams, and we'll probably send him on some different assignments to evaluate and look at possible free agents and maybe work with our kids as well," Tallon said. "Whatever suits him and what's best for us, we'll take advantage of it."

Savard returned to the United Center on Wednesday for the first time since his firing to participate in the jersey retirement ceremony for Pierre Pilote and the late Keith Magnuson.

When Savard was introduced he drew the loudest and longest ovation of the night. Host Pat Foley had to cut the cheering short in order to keep the ceremony moving along with a game to play.

"I would have expected nothing less," Tallon said of the ovation for Savard. "It was well deserved."

Savard's former players crowded around him after the ceremony to shake his hand and give him a hug.

"It was unfortunate they started the anthem so quickly because we didn't really get much to say to him," Patrick Kane said. "It's good to have him back. It's going to be fun to see him around again.

"To hear that big cheer he got, it just gets you excited. It was really cool to see the fans to give him such a big ovation. He gave the bench a little wave, almost as if he was saying goodbye, but to have him back on board today is really special."

"Everybody was really happy to see him, and I think a lot of the fans felt the same way," Patrick Sharp said. "It was nice to go up and shake his hand and let him know in person how much he did for my career and how much I appreciate it."

Hawks president John McDonough made it clear the day Savard was fired that there would be a job waiting for him in the organization when the time was right.

"It is important to our fans and organization that Denis remains a part of our family," McDonough said.

Savard issued a statement through the Hawks, expressing his thanks for this new opportunity.

"I have been very fortunate to be a part of this organization, to wear these colors, for so long and this gives me the chance to continue to be a part of something I love," Savard said.