Waddell then began his career as a coach and executive, starting as an assistant coach for the Flint Spirits of the International Hockey League (IHL). He later became the head coach of the San Antonio Iguanas and the Orlando Solar Bears, both of the IHL. In 1997, he was named the general manager of the Solar Bears, and he led the team to the Turner Cup championship in 2001.
In 1998, Waddell joined the NHL as the assistant general manager of the Detroit Red Wings. He helped the team win the Stanley Cup in 1998 and 2002. In 2002, he was named the general manager of the Atlanta Thrashers, a new expansion team in the NHL. He held this position until 2010, when the team was sold and moved to Winnipeg.
After leaving the Thrashers, Waddell returned to the Red Wings as a consultant. He also served as the president of the IHL and the chairman of the AHL Board of Governors. In 2018, he was named the president of the Carolina Hurricanes, and he was later promoted to president and general manager in 2019.
Under Waddell's leadership, the Hurricanes have become a competitive team in the NHL. In the 2018-2019 season, the team made the playoffs for the first time in a decade and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. In the 2019-2020 season, the Hurricanes again made the playoffs and advanced to the second round.
Throughout his career, Waddell has been known for his ability to build and develop successful hockey teams. He has been involved in the NHL for over 20 years and has won multiple championships at the minor league and NHL levels. He is widely respected in the hockey community and is considered one of the top executives in the league.
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