Pittsburgh Penguins GM Jim Rutherford Is Abruptly Stepping Down

The Pittsburgh Penguins have been a perennial contender for over a decade, with three Stanley Cups since the 2008-09 season to prove it. And behind much of their success has been general manager Jim Rutherford, who took over the position in 2014. On Wednesday afternoon, the Penguins announced that Rutherford would be stepping down from his position due to personal reasons.

Pittsburgh’s assistant general manager Patrick Allvin takes over in the interim after Rutherford’s departure. Allvin has been with the Penguins since the 2006-07 season when he started as a scout.

Rutherford had this to say in the official statement from the Penguins:

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. 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.

Reports indicate that the Penguins will begin searching for a new general manager during this season.

Rutherford, 71, oversaw the Penguins reaching the Stanley Cup Playoffs in each of his seasons as general manager, winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017.

written by

Mario Tirabassi is a writer for Bleacher Nation. You can follow him on Twitter @Mario_Tirabassi.

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