The Pittsburgh Penguins named Ron Hextall as their general manager and Brian Burke as president of hockey operations on Tuesday.
Hextall will oversee the Penguins’ day-to-day hockey operations and report to Burke as his primary advisor. Burke, in turn, will report to David Morehouse, the team’s president and chief executive officer.
The moves come on the heels of the departure of Jim Rutherford, who resigned on Jan. 27 for personal reasons.
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“We feel incredibly lucky to bring in two highly-respected executives with a combined 50-plus years of NHL management experience,” Morehouse said. “Ron and Brian are well-known in the hockey world as fierce competitors with championship pedigrees. They’re very well-connected and experienced in all aspects of the game. They are both excited to get to work here in Pittsburgh, blending their skills and building on our long tradition of success.”
Hextall, 56, followed up a 13-year NHL career by spending more than 20 years in management. He was an assistant general manager of the Los Angeles Kings from 2006-13 before serving as the GM of the Philadelphia Flyers from 2014-18.
“It’s an honor to be joining the Pittsburgh Penguins — an organization well-known for its excellence on and off the ice,” Hextall said. “I look forward to working with ownership, Brian and the entire organization toward the ultimate goal of bringing another Stanley Cup to Pittsburgh.”
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Burke, 65, boasts 31 years of NHL executive experience — highlighted by capturing a Stanley Cup as general manager of the Anaheim Ducks in 2006-07. He has also served as a GM with the Hartford Whalers, Vancouver Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs, as well as the president of hockey operations for the Calgary Flames.
“To me, Pittsburgh is a take-your-breath-away destination for any GM or president of hockey ops,” Burke said. “I’m so excited for the opportunity. The Penguins are a storied franchise with outstanding ownership in Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle, and Pittsburgh is just a great hockey city. Ron Hextall and I are very fortunate. We can’t wait to get started.”
Patrik Allvin, who became interim general manager of the Penguins when Rutherford resigned, will resume his role as assistant GM.
Related: If you’re a fan of the Penguins, check out #LetsGoPens rumors, rankings, and news here.
–Field Level Media