Those banners will serve as long-lasting reminders of the success of Rutherford s tenure, one that came to an abrupt end on Wednesday when the 71-year-old Hall of Famer resigned just two weeks into the abbreviated 2021 season.
Rutherford, whose contract was set to expire in June, cited personal reasons behind the decision. He told team president and CEO David Morehouse on Tuesday night and confirmed it again when the two spoke Wednesday morning. It just got to a point that I decided my time was up here, Rutherford told The Associated Press.
Rutherford, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2019, stressed the move had nothing to do with his health.
Jim Rutherford resigns as Pittsburgh Penguins GM, citing personal reasons
In a stunning move, Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford resigned Wednesday, citing personal reasons. It just got to a point that I decided my time was up here, Rutherford told The Associated Press, stressing that the move had nothing to do with his health. I know everybody wants to refer to my age all the time, the 71-year-old Rutherford added, with a laugh. The guy who has the toughest job in the world, who just got elected [78-year-old President Joe Biden] is way older than me. . I feel good. I feel good and healthy, and if there s an opportunity that presents itself, [I will listen].
By iHeartRadio
Jan 27, 2021
The Pittsburgh Penguins announced that Jim Rutherford has resigned as General Manager and that Patrik Allvin will step as interim GM. Their search for a new GM will begin immediately.
Rutherford has been GM of the Penguins since the 2014-15 season.
See the press release below or PittsburghPenguins.com for more information.
PRESS RELEASE
Search for new GM begins immediately
Jim Rutherford has resigned as general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins, citing personal reasons, the team announced today.
Patrik Allvin, the Penguins’ assistant general manager, has been promoted to interim GM, and the search for a new GM will begin immediately.
CP NewsAlert: Penguins GM Rutherford resigns, citing personal reasons prpeak.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from prpeak.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Will Graves
FILE - In this May 28, 2016, file photo, Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford watches the team during NHL hockey practice at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry, Pa., in this Saturday, May 28, 2016, file photo. Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford, a Hall of Famer who helped lead to a pair of Stanley Cup titles, resigned abruptly on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File) January 27, 2021 - 4:07 PM
PITTSBURGH - Jim Rutherford arrived in Pittsburgh in the summer of 2014 tasked with jumpstarting a star-laden but stalled franchise to life.
By the end of his third season as general manager, the Penguins became the first team in a generation to win consecutive Stanley Cup titles.