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Glen Sather hands Rangers GM reigns to Jeff Gorton

In a move that has been expected for quite some time, New York Rangers president Glen Sather has relinquished his role as the team’s general manager.  Assistant general manager  Jeff Gorton is promoted into the full-time GM spot.

Gorton has been busy making a number of free agent signings in his first day on the job, including Victor Stalberg, Raphael Diaz, Jayson Megna and Matt Lindblad.

The following is a press release from the Rangers.

Jeff Gorton Named 11th General Manager in New York Rangers History

New York Rangers President Glen Sather announced today that Jeff Gorton has been named the 11th General Manager in franchise history and Jim Schoenfeld has been named Senior Vice President and Assistant General Manager and General Manager of the Hartford Wolf Pack. Sather will retain his role as President, a position which he has held since June 1, 2000.

“Jeff has been an integral part of our success since joining the Rangers, and he has earned the respect of colleagues throughout the hockey community,” Sather said. “He is well prepared for and extremely deserving of this opportunity.

“Jim has played a pivotal role in several areas during his tenure with the Rangers,” Sather said. “He is a valuable member of our staff and he will continue to benefit the organization at both the NHL and AHL levels.”

Gorton, 46, has been a member of the Rangers organization for the past eight seasons and served as the team’s Assistant General Manager over the last four seasons. He joined the Rangers in 2007 as a professional scout, and served three seasons as Assistant Director, Player Personnel before becoming the team’s Assistant General Manager.

During Gorton’s tenure with the Rangers, he has played a key role in the selection of current Blueshirts Derek Stepan, Chris Kreider, Jesper Fast, and J.T. Miller in the NHL Entry Draft. Gorton was vital in the Rangers’ acquisitions of Ryan McDonagh, Rick Nash, Derick Brassard, and Keith Yandle through trades, as well as the signing of free agents Kevin Hayes and Mats Zuccarello.

Prior to joining the Rangers, Gorton spent 15 seasons with the Boston Bruins organization, serving as the Bruins Assistant General Manager during the final seven years of his tenure. As Assistant General Manager, he was involved in contract negotiations, scouting operations and the team’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate in Providence.

Gorton served as Boston’s Interim General Manager from March 27 to July 8, 2006, directing the Bruins’ efforts at the 2006 NHL Entry Draft and negotiating contracts and trades at the start of the 2006 free agency period. At the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Gorton was instrumental in landing Bruins’ star players Brad Marchand and Tuukka Rask, as well as former Bruins’ stars Phil Kessel and Milan Lucic. He also acquired All-Star free agents Zdeno Chara and Marc Savard.

Gorton originally joined the Bruins organization in their public relations department at the beginning of the 1992-93 season. He became the Bruins’ Director of Scouting Information in October 1994, where he created the scouting database which networks the club’s scouts via computer, and coordinated video on prospects in preparation of scouting assignments and the annual NHL Entry Draft. Gorton holds a degree in physical education from Bridgewater State College, and a Masters in sports management from Springfield College.

Schoenfeld, 62, served the past eight seasons as Assistant General Manager, Player Personnel of the Rangers. In that capacity, he played a vital role in all player transactions, and was also responsible for all hockey-related matters for the Wolf Pack.

Schoenfeld has served as General Manager of the Wolf Pack/Whale for the past 12 seasons and served as head coach of the team for two seasons in 2005-06 and 2006-07. He assumed head coaching duties for the organization on July 13, 2005, when he became the fourth head coach in franchise history. Schoenfeld has been influential in developing the organization’s pool of prospects.

During Schoenfeld’s tenure in the organization, several Blueshirts developed under his guidance in Hartford before becoming key contributors in New York. In his two seasons as head coach of the Wolf Pack, Schoenfeld played a vital role in the progression of Dan Girardi, Ryan Callahan, and Brandon Dubinsky. Since Schoenfeld became the Wolf Pack General Manager, players such as McDonagh, Zuccarello, Miller, Fast, and Artem Anisimov made their professional debuts with the Wolf Pack/Whale in the AHL before being called up by the Rangers.

In 2014-15, the Rangers and Wolf Pack were the only NHL and AHL affiliates from the same organization to both reach the Conference Finals. It was the first time in franchise history that the Rangers and their AHL affiliate both reached the Eastern Conference Final in the same season.

Over his 12 seasons as General Manager of the Wolf Pack/Whale, the team has posted a 512-325-52-55 record in 944 games (.599 point percentage). Schoenfeld also registered a 95-53-5-7 record in 160 games during his two seasons as the head coach of the Wolf Pack (.631 point percentage). Since Schoenfeld became Hartford’s general manager, the club has reached the playoffs in nine of 12 seasons.

In addition to his front office roles with the Rangers, Schoenfeld also served as an assistant coach with the Blueshirts during the 2002-03 season. Schoenfeld compiled a 256-246-78 record (.509 point percentage) over 10 seasons as an NHL head coach with the Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils, Washington Capitals, and Phoenix Coyotes, and he reached the playoffs in six of the 10 campaigns.

Schoenfeld skated in 719 career NHL games with the Sabres, Detroit Red Wings and Boston Bruins from 1972-73 through 1984-85. A former captain of the Sabres, he registered 51 goals and 204 assists for 255 points, along with 1,132 penalty minutes in his NHL career. Originally selected by Buffalo in the first round, fifth overall, of the 1972 NHL Amateur Draft, Schoenfeld is a member of the Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame and the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame.

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