Hnat Domenichelli (right) and Parker Burgess (left) being unveiled by the Vancouver Giants. (Image Credit: Rob Wilton/Vancouver Giants)

By Victor Kaisar

WHL Hiring

Former Blazers forward Hnat Domenichelli named new Vancouver Giants GM

Jun 28, 2025 | 9:00 AM

KAMLOOPS — The Vancouver Giants have named former Kamloops Blazers forward Hnat Domenichelli as their newest General Manager.

The 49-year-old dual Swiss/Canadian citizen is moving to a new role in the Western Hockey League after six seasons as General Manager of HC Lugano in the NLA (Swiss Professional Men’s League). Domenichelli also served as Assistant General Manager for Team Canada at the 2023 and 2024 Spengler Cup.

“Hnat is a very well-respected and well-connected individual in the hockey world who brings significant management experience to the role,” Giants Majority Owner, President and Governor Ron Toigo said, in a statement. “He presented a clear vision and path for our hockey club, and we’re excited to see him lead our Hockey Operations.”

As a Blazer, Domenichelli won two Memorial Cups in 1994 and 1995, and was a fourth round pick (86th overall) of the Hartford Whalers in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. He retired in 2014 after a 922 game career in the NHL, AHL, and the Swiss A league that spanned 18 seasons.

Domenichelli also represented Canada nine times in international play, and won a gold medal at the 1996 World Juniors. He also suited up at the Spengler Cup on four occasions and won the tournament in 2003.

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“Ron and his ownership group have been doing this for a very long time, so it’s very comforting for me to come into a very stable organization,” Domenichelli said at a press conference Thursday (June 26) morning.

“It’s all about the players…These young kids grow up, they have dreams about playing in the NHL, but they can’t do that from 14 years old right to the NHL. You have to go somewhere. You have to start your journey and we’re going to help these young kids: make them NHL players. That’s what really, really drew me to this place.

Incidentally, the Giants drafted Domenichelli’s 19-year-old son, Leonardo, in the seventh-round of the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft. His other son, Alessandro, 16, has signed with the Portland Winterhawks after they took in the second-round of the 2024 WHL Draft.

Domenichelli takes over from Barclay Parnetta, and he’ll work alongside new Giants Head Coach Parker Burgess who was also unveiled Thursday.

“I feel very confident, along with Parker, myself, about what we’re going to be able to provide for these young kids to enjoy their experience when they’re playing junior hockey, Domenichelli said.

“We’re going to help them get better. We’re going to teach them what we know. We’re going to listen to them.”