Penguins General Manager Jim Rutherford Abruptly Resigns

PITTSBURGH, PA — Jim Rutherford, who put his blueprint on two Stanley Cup winning Pittsburgh Penguins teams, resigned suddenly as general manager on Wednesday. Rutherford, 71, who had held that position since the 2014-15 season, cited personal reasons for his decision.

Penguins assistant general manager Patrik Allvin was elevated to interim general manger and the Penguins said the search for Rutherford's permanent successor will begin immediately.

Under Rutherford, the Penguins made the playoffs every season and won back-t0-back Stanley Cups in 2016. He was named to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2019.

"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 released by the team.

"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."

Pens president David Morehouse said Rutherford "will always have a special place in our team's history, his own legacy. "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."

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.

Before coming to Pittsburgh, Rutherford spent 20 years as general manager of the Carolina Hurricanes-Hartford Whalers franchise, winning the Stanley Cup in Carolina in 2006. He played 13 seasons in the NHL as a goaltender, including two stints with the Penguins.

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