Edmonton, AB (Best E Casino) - The Edmonton Oilers shook up their front office on Thursday, promoting former general manager Kevin Lowe to president of hockey operations and naming Steve Tambellini as the new general manager.

Lowe, the Oilers' first NHL draft choice in 1979, had been GM of the team since June 9, 2000, helping the team to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2006.

He has been a part of the Oilers organization as a player, coach, vice president and general manager for the past 25 years.

Tambellini joins the Edmonton organization after spending the previous 17 years with the Vancouver Canucks. He served as the Canucks' vice president and assistant GM for the past three seasons.

The team also promoted Kevin Pendergast from vice president of hockey operations, a post he had been at for the past nine seasons, to assistant general manager.