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Rutherford resigns from GM position with Penguins

February 4, 2021   ·   0 Comments

Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford has resigned from his position with the NHL franchise.

The resignation caught the hockey world by surprised.

Rutherford cited undisclosed personal reasons for his decision to step down.

“I know it’s a little unusual to have this happen during a season, but I just felt this was the right time to step away,” Rutherford said. “It has been a great honour to serve as general manager of the Penguins, and to hang two more Stanley Cup banners at PPG Paints Arena. I have so many people to thank, beginning with the owners, Ron Burkle and Mario Lemieux, and team president David Morehouse. There always has been so much support form everyone involved with the Penguins, both on the hockey and business staffs, and of course from a special group of players led by Sidney Crosby. The fans here have been tremendous to me and my family.”

Rutherford as been GM of the Penguins since the 2014/15 season, and found success leading the club to back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017, while taking the team to the playoffs every season he was there.

Prior to his time with the Penguins, Rutherford spent two decades as GM of the Caroline Hurricanes as well as the Hartford Whalers. He won the Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes in 2006.

Rutherford also had a 13-year career as a goaltender in the NHL. He played from 1969 to 1983 and spent most of his career with the Detroit Red Wings. He also spent time with the Penguins, Toronto Maple Leafs, and the Los Angeles Kings.

Patrik Allvin, who had been recently promoted to assistant general manager with the Penguins will take over as interim GM as the team starts a search for Rutherford’s successor.

The club stressed that Rutherford’s resignation is not health related.

“I don’t think is serves anybody well,” Rutherford said of why he won’t reveal his reasons for stepping down. “I’ve been treated first-class here and I really appreciate and respect what they’ve done for me. That’s the way I want to leave the Penguins.”

Born and raised in Beeton, Rutherford is probably the town’s most famous hometown guy and still has family in the area.

By Brian Lockhart
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

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