The Buffalo Sabres announced Thursday morning that Jason Botterill was hired as the new general manager of the club. This news comes a couple weeks after the Sabres fired both Tim Murray (GM) and Dan Bylsma (head coach).
IT'S OFFICIAL! Jason Botterill has been named General Manager of the Buffalo Sabres. pic.twitter.com/RSyHIGnJ7c
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) May 11, 2017
Buffalo Sabres Hire Jason Botterill as New General Manager
“We are very happy to welcome Jason Botterill to the Buffalo Sabres family,” owner Terry Pegula said in an interview with NHL.com. “Jason’s hockey knowledge, experience drafting and developing players, and his approach to management stood out to us during our interview process. Jason has built a solid reputation as a leader that connects strongly with players and staff around him. We are confident he will have a positive impact within our organization and will help us get to our ultimate goal.”
Botterill, 40, has been a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins organization since 2007. He was originally hired as director of hockey operations. In 2009, he was promoted to Penguins assistant general manger. Over the years, Botterill has been involved in many key moves with the Penguins, including the hiring as Mike Sullivan as head coach of the American Hockey League’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in 2015. In the early stages of the 2016 season, Sullivan was promoted to head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins. It was a move that helped boost the Pens to a Stanley Cup Championship. In 2014, Ray Shero was fired and Jim Rutherford came in as the team’s new general manager. Botterill was promoted to associate general manger, a position where he has remained until today.
NHL Career
Botterill also played in the NHL from 1997 to 2004. He was selected 20th overall in the 1994 draft by the Dallas Stars. From there, he would play for the Stars, the Sabres, the Atlanta Thrashers, and the Calgary Flames. He tallied 14 points in 88 career games before suffering a career-ending concussion in 2004.
Jason Botterill has plenty of experience at the National Hockey League level. The Sabres believe he can help turn around their young club. His first task will be to find a new head coach of the club. Botterill’s search begins immediately.
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