Blackhawks round out front office, promote Meghan Hunter to assistant GM

Almost four months after affirming Kyle Davidson as the team’s permanent general manager, the Chicago Blackhawks have finalized the rest of their main hockey operations staff. 

The organization announced Wednesday that Meghan Hunter has been promoted to assistant general manager, hockey operations. They also said that Mark Eaton remains in his role as assistant general manager, development, Brian Campbell has been named advisor, hockey operations and Karilyn Pilch has been promoted to director of player personnel.

With her promotion, Hunter becomes the fourth woman in NHL history to serve as an assistant GM. She’s been with the Blackhawks organization for the past two seasons, serving as a scout and their director of hockey administration during that time. The 41-year-old had the highest points-per-game in a single season in University of Wisconsin history during her freshman year, tallying 42 goals and 36 assists in just 35 games. Her record stands against legends of the women’s hockey game such as Brianna Decker, Hilary Knight and Meghan Duggan.

Eaton, a longtime NHL defenseman, will enter his third season as an assistant GM in Chicago. He’s been with the organization in an off-ice capacity since 2014, when he joined them as a development coach. 

Campbell has been a development coach with the Blackhawks since 2018 and also spent four years with them on the ice. He was an advisor to the team during their general manager search, ultimately opting to retain Davidson.

Pilch has five years of management experience, including three as the director of hockey operations for the Boston University women’s team and two years as general manager of the PHF/NWHL’s Boston Pride.