ATLANTA — The Atlanta Thrashers have named former Chicago Blackhawks executive Rick Dudley as associate general manager.

Thrashers executive vice president and general manager Don Waddell says the 60-year-old Dudley will oversee scouting and player development for the NHL team.

Dudley was assistant general manager of the Blackhawks for the last two seasons. He joined the Blackhawks in 2004 as a consultant and was named director of player personnel in 2005.

Earlier, Dudley was general manager of the Florida Panthers for two seasons, spent 21/2 seasons as senior vice president and general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning and was general manager of the Ottawa Senators for one year.