Roberto Luongo takes role in Panthers' front office

A franchise’s legendary player is moving upstairs, a place he rarely allowed pucks to go.

After his retirement prior to this season, Roberto Luongo has been named Special Advisor to the General Manager within the Florida Panthers organization.

With countless injuries piling up in his late career, Luongo was seeing less and less games, keeping him out of the action as he spent more time on the IR than on the ice.

The 40-year-old is held in high regard by current Panthers GM Dale Tallon.

"I've had the honor and privilege to work with Roberto during his time playing for the Panthers and am proud to welcome him to our franchise's hockey operations staff," Tallon said in the team’s release. "Roberto always approached every game with an unmatched work ethic and we are confident he will take to this new role with the same passion. A cornerstone player in our franchise's history, we are thrilled that 'Lu' will have a hand in shaping our franchise's future."

The five-time All-Star holds the franchise’s record for wins (230), shutouts (38), and saves (16,068).

Luongo had a career .919 save percentage through his time with the Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders and the Panthers.

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