Ex-Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford hired as Vancouver Canucks' president
Former Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford was hired as president of hockey operations for the Vancouver Canucks. He also will assume the title of interim general manager of the Canucks while leading a search for a full-time general manager.
Rutherford abruptly resigned from his role as the Penguins’ general manager Jan. 27 citing “personal reasons.” He has declined to discuss specifics regarding what prompted him to depart on repeated occasions.
Hired by the Penguins in June of 2014, Rutherford, who also held the title of executive vice president of hockey operations in Pittsburgh, directed the team for parts of seven seasons and oversaw the franchise’s Stanley Cup championships in 2016 and 2017.
Rutherford’s contract with the Penguins expired in June. Following his departure from the Penguins, Rutherford, 72, was open about his willingness to take on another management role.
“I’ve had teams indirectly reach out to say, ‘Before you do something, keep us in mind,’ ” Rutherford said during a phone interview with the Tribune-Review in May. “But nothing serious. And it’s a good thing because I’m not in a hurry.”
In addition to the Penguins and Canucks, Rutherford was an executive with the Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes franchise, serving as general manager, president and even minority owner for 20 seasons. He guided the Hurricanes to the franchise’s lone Stanley Cup title in 2006.
In 2019, Rutherford was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in the builders category. A goaltender in the NHL for parts of 13 seasons, Rutherford also played for the Penguins during three seasons in the early 1970s.
The Canucks have struggled this season with a 10-15-2 record for 22 points. Only the expansion Seattle Kraken are below them in the NHL’s Pacific Division.
On Monday, the Canucks fired general manager Jim Benning, assistant general manager John Weisbrod, head coach Travis Green and assistant coach Nolan Baumgartner. Long-time NHL coach Bruce Boudreau was installed as head coach.
“It is an honour to join the Vancouver Canucks and to lead an NHL team in Canada,” Rutherford said in a statement issued by the Canucks. “I would like to thank (owner) Francesco and the Aquilini family for the opportunity. The Canucks have an exciting young group of players, and I look forward to building a plan that will take this team to the next level and excite Canucks fans everywhere.”
Seth Rorabaugh is a TribLive reporter covering the Pittsburgh Penguins. A North Huntingdon native, he joined the Trib in 2019 and has covered the Penguins since 2007. He can be reached at srorabaugh@triblive.com.
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