The Pittsburgh Penguins went to great lengths to renovate their front office to replace Jim Rutherford. Like, really big.
Well, this is something. Listening to Brian Burke will join Ron Hextall at PIT. Burke as president of Hockey Ops; Hextall as GM
Missing this teammate, I loved working with you Burkie– Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 9, 2021
Brian Burke was the general manager of Hartford, Vancouver, Anaheim, Toronto and, most recently, Calgary. Burke also served as president of hockey operations for Flames from 2013 to 18.
Why would the Penguins be thinking of adding two senior members to their hockey operations and management? Greg Wyshynski has shed some light on the logic of what the Pens are trying to accomplish.
One thing about this quest is clear: the penguins want someone who can give this group the best chance of winning this season, but understand that the closet needs to be refilled as soon as possible. Hextall, IMO, has more proof of concept in the latter than in the former as an NHL executive.
– Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) February 9, 2021
Burke, 65, never failed to be accused of having bold visions and being willing to go out and make it happen. Burke won the Stanley Cup with Anaheim in 2007.
And here’s the team’s official announcement:
In his new role, Hextall will oversee the Penguins’ day-to-day hockey operations, reporting to Burke as his primary adviser. Burke will report to David Morehouse, president and CEO of the team.
“We feel incredibly lucky to bring two highly respected executives with more than 50 years of NHL management experience,” said Morehouse. “Ron and Brian are well known in the hockey world as fierce competitors with championship pedigrees. They are very well connected and experienced in all aspects of the game. Both are excited to work here in Pittsburgh, combining their skills and building on our long tradition of success. “
Hextall, 56, an elite NHL goalkeeper in his playing days, has been in the NHL management for more than twenty years, including a four-year stint as GM of the 2014-2018 Phildelphia Flyers. He was also deputy general manager of the Los Angeles Kings from 2006 to 2013, helping the Kings in their first Stanley Cup in 2012. He started his post-game career as a Flyers scout in 1999.
Burke, 65, a Harvard Law School graduate, spent 31 years as an NHL executive and won the Stanley Cup as general manager of the Anaheim Ducks in 2006-07. He also served as general manager for Hartford Whalers and Canucks; president and general manager of Toronto Maple Leafs; and president of hockey operations for Calgary Flames. From 1993 to 1998, he was executive vice president and director of hockey operations for the NHL, working closely with Commissioner Gary Bettman.
Patrik Allvin, who became acting general manager for the Penguins when Jim Rutherford resigned on January 27, will resume his role as assistant general manager for Hextall and Burke.
“It is an honor to be part of the Pittsburgh Penguins – an organization known for its excellence on and off the ice,” said Hextall. “I look forward to working with the property, Brian and the entire organization towards the ultimate goal of bringing another Stanley Cup to Pittsburgh.”
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“For me, Pittsburgh is a breathtaking destination for any GM or president of hockey operations,” said Burke. “I am very excited about the opportunity. The Penguins are a historic franchise with excellent ownership by Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle, and Pittsburgh is a great hockey city. Ron Hextall and I are very lucky. We can’t wait to start. “
Penguins: never boring.