Photo: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Pittsburgh Penguins announced on Wednesday afternoon that GM Jim Rutherford has resigned due to personal reasons. The team gave Patrik Allvin, the team’s assistant GM, the interim tag and will start searching for a GM immediately.
“It has been a great honor to serve as general manager of the Penguins, and to hang two more Stanley Cup banners at PPG Paints Arena,” Rutherford said in a statement. “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 from 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. I know it’s a little unusual to have this happen during a season, but just felt this was the right time to step away.”
“Jim has been an amazing representative of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and he’ll always have a special place in our team’s history, his own legacy,” said David Morehouse, the Penguins’ president and CEO. “He’ll always be part of the Penguins. On behalf of our ownership, management, staff, coaches and players, we want to thank him for his many contributions, which go far beyond those two Stanley Cups. Jim is a great friend and teammate. We wish him and his family the best.”
Rutherford has been GM of the Penguins since 2014 and helped the team win two Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017. He was named to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2019.
The Penguins have not missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs since 2006 and own the NHL’s longest active streak for appearances in the tournament.
Allvin will consult with owner Mario Lemieux for advice.
Before he was the Penguins’ GM, Rutherford spent twenty years in the same role with the Carolina Hurricanes/Hartford Whalers franchise, winning the Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes in 2006. He played 13 seasons in the NHL as a goaltender, including two stints with the Penguins.
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Allvin, 46, was named assistant general manager in November, 2020. The native of Falun, Sweden is in his 15th season with the Penguins hockey operations staff, having started as a scout in 2006-07. He served as director of amateur scouting from 2017-20.
“I’m excited for this new opportunity with the Penguins, but I would not be in this position were it not for Jim’s faith in me over these past seven years,” Allvin said. “I want to thank him and wish him the best. Moving forward, I want everyone to know – from our ownership to our fans – that I’m committed to doing the best job possible for the Penguins, building on our strong start to the season.”
By Harrison Brown
I hear it’s medics reasons …..he’s sick of being around Penguins too! Thank you I’am here all week,try the veal!!