Former NHL coach Dave Tippett has signed on as senior adviser for the group looking to put an expansion team in Seattle.

Tippett confirmed the move to The Associated Press on Monday after it was first reported by the Seattle Times. He was already working for Seattle Hockey Partners LLC under president and chief operating officer Tod Leiweke.

Seattle is in the middle of the expansion process with the goal of renovating KeyArena and starting up for the 2020-21 season. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says the league’s board of governors could vote to approve a 32nd franchise as soon as this fall but has emphasized there is no specific timetable.

Tippett parted ways with the Arizona Coyotes a year ago. The 56-year-old coach spent eight seasons with the Coyotes, leading them to the Western Conference final in in 2012, after coaching the Dallas Stars for six years.