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Bill Zito

Bill Zito is an American ice hockey executive and former player agent who serves as president of hockey operations and general manager of the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL).

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Bill Zito is an American ice hockey executive and former player agent who serves as president of hockey operations and general manager of the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was appointed general manager on September 2, 2020, and promoted to his current role on April 15, 2024. Under his leadership, the Panthers won their first Stanley Cup in 2024 and repeated as champions in 2025.

Early life and education

Zito was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Wisconsin. He attended Yale University, where he played hockey, and later earned a law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School.

Career in hockey management

After working as an attorney and player agent, Zito moved into NHL front-office roles. He joined the Columbus Blue Jackets organization in 2013 before being hired by the Florida Panthers in 2020.

Florida Panthers tenure

Zito was hired as general manager in September 2020 and later promoted to president of hockey operations in 2024. His tenure has included roster-building that helped Florida win consecutive Stanley Cups in 2024 and 2025.

Playing career

Zito’s playing career was brief and included collegiate hockey at Yale. He also played in Finland before moving on to law and hockey management.

Key facts

  • Zito was named general manager of the Florida Panthers in September 2020.
  • He was promoted to president of hockey operations and general manager in April 2024.
  • The Panthers won the Stanley Cup in 2024 and again in 2025 under his leadership.
  • Before joining Florida, he worked in the Columbus Blue Jackets organization as assistant general manager.
  • He previously worked as a professional sports agent and attorney.
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Canadian context

Bill Zito is relevant to Canadian readers because he is an NHL executive whose Panthers team has competed against Canadian clubs in recent Stanley Cup Playoffs and Finals.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Bill Zito?
Bill Zito is the president of hockey operations and general manager of the Florida Panthers in the NHL.
When did Bill Zito join the Panthers?
He was named general manager of the Florida Panthers on September 2, 2020.
What is Bill Zito’s background?
He is a former attorney, sports agent, and hockey player who later became an NHL executive.
Where was Bill Zito born?
He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Did Bill Zito play hockey?
Yes. He played collegiate hockey at Yale and also played briefly in Finland.
What teams has Bill Zito worked for?
He has held NHL front-office roles with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Florida Panthers.

References

  1. NHL.com / Florida Panthers — https://www.nhl.com/panthers/info/bill-zito
    Supports: Current title, appointment dates, and responsibilities with the Florida Panthers.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Zito
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, birthplace, and general biographical overview.
  3. USA Hockey — https://teamusa.usahockey.com/4nationsfaceoffroster-billzito
    Supports: Role with Team USA and biographical details including family and Panthers promotion.
  4. NHL.com — https://www.nhl.com/news/panthers-gm-bill-zito-playing-and-living-in-finland-was-great-experience
    Supports: Playing history, Yale background, and brief pro career in Finland.
  5. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/29843345/how-bill-zito-went-perpetual-finalist-gm
    Supports: Columbus Blue Jackets role and hiring timeline with Florida.