Penguins relieve Ron Hextall and Brian Burke of their duties

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – After lacking the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the primary time in 16 years, the Penguins have made the choice to take the entrance workplace in a special path. 

The workforce introduced that Normal Supervisor Ron Hextall and President of Hockey Operations Brian Burke have been relieved of their duties with the group. 

The workforce additionally relieved Assistant Normal Supervisor Chris Pryor of his duties. 

“We’re grateful to Brian, Ron, and Chris for his or her contributions to the group over the previous two seasons, however we really feel that the workforce will profit from new hockey operations management,” mentioned John Henry and Tom Werner of Fenway Sports activities Group in a press release. “Whereas this season has been disappointing, we consider in our core group of gamers and the aim of contending for the Stanley Cup has not modified.”

Each Hextall and Burke have been employed within the COVID-19-shortened season in 2021 when Jim Rutherford all of a sudden resigned as Penguins’ basic supervisor. 

In that point, the Penguins have been eradicated from the postseason within the first spherical in 2021 and 2022. 

As ownerships begins the seek for a brand new basic supervisor and hockey operations management, they mentioned duties will likely be cut up between the Director of Hockey Operations Alec Schall, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Normal Supervisor Erik Heasley, and Hockey Operations Analyst Andy Sauicer. 

Penguins Head Coach Mike Sullivan will help with hockey operations duties, as properly. 

The Penguins missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs this yr, ending the longest lively postseason streak in North American sports activities.