Nashville Predators Executive Vice President/General Manager David Poile announced today that Jeff Kealty (KELL-tee) has been named the team’s chief amateur scout.

Kealty, 31, has been a member of the Predators’ scouting staff since the 2001-02 season, primarily scouting North American and European amateurs.  In his new role, the Boston native

Kealty

will manage the club’s amateur scouting operation under Assistant General Manager Paul Fenton and spearhead the team’s annual efforts at the NHL Entry Draft.

“Our organizational philosophy has been to elevate those internal candidates that consistently demonstrate ability and potential, and this promotion certainly fits that criteria,” said Poile.  “Jeff Kealty has been a player in this organization and has been a member of our scouting staff for the past six seasons.  He has a terrific eye for talent, a tireless work ethic and he has proven quite capable of handling more responsibility.  Jeff has a bright future as a talent evaluator in the National Hockey League.”

A former first-round pick (22nd overall) of the Quebec Nordiques in 1994, Kealty signed as a free agent with Nashville in 1998 following a four-year college career at Boston University.  The former defenseman played one pro season for the Milwaukee Admirals (International Hockey League) before his playing career was cut short due to injury. 

Kealty is single and resides in Boston.