David Morehouse had just started his job with the Penguins in 2007, when he sought a little insight on the challenges of being president of a professional sports team.
But he didn't go to an executive of some other NHL club for advice.
Rather, he sought the counsel of Steelers owner Dan Rooney, and absorbed some wisdom that made a lasting impression.
"The thing I asked him was, 'What's the hardest thing to do?' " Morehouse said Wednesday night, shortly after the Penguins announced that he was stepping down as president and CEO. "And he said, 'Win consistently.'
"I thought about that and I always thought, 'Well, there's a lot of teams that have won championships, one championship here, one championship there. But there aren't a lot that have won many in one era. The Steelers, I grew up watching, and I saw how successful they were and how they were able to sustain it. So I think that if there's one thing, from a management perspective, that I'm more proud of, it's being a part of 16 consecutive playoff years and the longest (active) playoff streak in professional sports."
That run of playoff appearances includes three Stanley Cup championships, all of which were won with Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle as the franchise's majority owners.
But Lemieux and Burkle sold controlling interest in the team to Fenway Sports Group last year, and that change in ownership appears to have influenced Morehouse decision to step down.
Not, he said, because Fenway officials nudged him to leave, but simply because his dealings with the new owners were not the same as they had been with the previous regime.
"I didn't feel any pressure from them," Morehouse said. "But I did have a relationship with Ron and Mario that was different. But no, they didn't pressure me at all."
Two members of the front office, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Morehouse left of his own volition, with one describing his departure as "all amicable."
President of Hockey Operations Brian Burke and COO/general counsel Kevin Acklin will assume Morehouse's duties, and there was no word on when -- or even if -- a permanent replacement will be named.
Morehouse's departure is not expected to have any short-term impact on the team's on-ice product.
Morehouse, a Beechview native, has experienced a series of heart-related issues in recent years and said he had a pair of medical procedures last fall, but that health concerns did not directly influence his decision to leave the team. He even joked about "three Stanley Cups, three heart procedures" during his time in management.
"Health wasn't a factor," he said. "But health gave me perspective that I probably didn't have if I hadn't slowed down for health. My health right now is fine. I feel good. I haven't felt this good in years."
While his short-term focus will be on his personal life, Morehouse said his departure from the workforce will not be permanent.
"I think I'm going to take a little time with my family and maybe travel a little," he said. "But I've had some people come after me already. So yeah, I'm not retiring. I'm just looking at my next challenge."
Morehouse's close ties to Lemieux and Burkle aside, his performance in the front office was praised by the people currently in charge of the franchise.
A statement from the team that was attributed to Fenway Sports Group principal owner John Henry and chairman Tom Werner said that, "As a leader of the Penguins franchise for nearly a decade and a half, David presided over an era that is formidable in every way. We are grateful for the leadership he has provided throughout this remarkable period, overseeing the construction of a new arena, record sellouts and Stanley Cup championships. David has been instrumental in making the Penguins one of the most successful franchises in the NHL and we are thankful for the immense time, energy and love he has poured into the organization.”
Morehouse was equally complimentary of Fenway, which he suggested will operate the team effectively.
"They know how to run organizations," he said. "They'll run it differently than Ron and Mario ran it, but I think they can run it differently and be as successful as Ron and Mario were. ... The Penguins are in good hands. And it's time for me to find my next challenge."
