Harris, who grew up in North Tryon, has signed a two-year contract with the New Jersey Devils to serve as manager of player information/video. His job description also includes scouting.
“It’s going to be a good opportunity,” said Harris in a phone interview with the Journal Pioneer. “New Jersey has some really exciting pieces.”
Harris worked the last 10 years with the Columbus Blue Jackets, including the last three as scouting co-ordinator.
“I really enjoyed being part of the process in Columbus,” said Harris. “What I like is the fact I now have some experience.”
While the draft was his main focus with Columbus, Harris’s new position involves “helping manage and facilitate every different aspect of the department that really deals with player information.”
Harris will work closely with Devils general manager Ray Shero, assistant general manager Tom Fitzgerald, head coach John Hynes and the coaching staff.
“The best way I describe (the new position) is how we obtain, file, update and distribute this information to the rest of our staff, so when we get to the draft table, or we get to trade deadline day, we are the most well prepared group in the National Hockey League,” said Harris. “That has always been my objective.”
Harris describes it as one-stop shopping.
“So that when Ray Shero sits down and has to make a decision on a player, or if we sit down as a group and have meetings, everything is right there in front of us,” he continued. “It is allowing us to be more well versed to the information.”
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The son of retired Summerside schoolteachers Jim and Marion Harris admits he is excited for the challenge.
“There are high expectations, it is the National Hockey League,” stressed Harris. “You have to want to be your best, you have to want to win and make a difference on a daily basis.
“At the same time, it’s like my dad tells me, ‘Scott, it’s about keeping things in proper perspective. It’s about focusing about what’s at hand.’
“In the NHL there is so much parity that anything could go one way or the other. I’m really looking forward to the challenges they are going to present me in New Jersey.”
Harris is not working in analytics, but will work closely with the Devils’ analytics’ staff in compiling information.
“That’s where, for me, the need for the position really came into play,” explained Harris. “How do you take what we have in analytics, and how can we best match it up and it makes sense to our scouting staff?
“What’s the best way to present something with analytics to management?”
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Need To Know
A look at Scott Harris:
Age: 31 (his birthday was Friday).
Hometown: North Tryon.
Parents: Jim and Marion Harris.
Wife: Allison.
Children: Daughter Madelyn, 3, and son Li, 1.
School: A graduate of Bluefield High School.
Quote: “In this whole process I’ve gone through, I would have to say what is most valuable to me is seeing how strong the hockey community is. You always hear that about the hockey community, but it’s very true. That’s one thing I never take for granted.”
