In a stunning move, Jim Rutherford, CEO of Pittsburgh Penguins, resigned Wednesday for personal reasons.
“There has always been so much support from everyone involved with the Penguins, both the hockey and corporate staff, and of course from a special group of players led by Sidney Crosby,” Rutherford said in a statement. “The fans here have been huge to me and my family. I know it’s a bit unusual for this to happen during a season, but I felt it was the right time to leave.”
Patrik Allvin, recently promoted to Penguins’ assistant general manager, will serve as interim general manager as the team immediately sets out to find Rutherford’s successor. In the meantime, according to the team, Allvin will consult with Mario Lemieux, the owner of the team’s Hall of Fame, for input and advice.
Rutherford, 71, has been the Penguins general manager since the 2014-15 season. The Penguins made it to the playoffs in each of his six seasons, won the Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017, and Rutherford was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2019. Prior to joining the Penguins, Rutherford had 20 years as president and general. manager. of the Carolina Hurricanes / Hartford Whalers franchise from 1994 to 2015 and won a Stanley Cup in Carolina in 2006.
“Absolutely shocked,” a rival CEO told ESPN in a text message. “I didn’t see this coming.”
Rutherford, who had a 13-year career as a goalkeeper in the NHL, was known as a cyclist and dealer during his time with the Penguins, and was constantly trying to redesign the cast around Crosby and Evgeni Malkin – especially in the past two seasons. , as he attempted to develop a new championship run with the aging core. Two years ago he sent Phil Kessel to Arizona and last year he sent Patric Hornqvist to Florida.
In a statement, David Morehouse, Penguins president and CEO, said Rutherford “is a great representative of the Pittsburgh Penguins.”
“He will always have a special place in our team’s history, his own legacy,” said Moorehouse. “He will always be part of the Penguins.”
Born in Falun, Sweden, 46-year-old Allvin is in his 15th year with the Penguins hockey operations staff. He started as a scout in 2006 and worked his way up to being promoted to assistant general manager in November.