Shero, architect of 2009 Stanley Cup win, dies at 62
Former Penguins general manager Ray Shero died, the Minnesota Wild announced on Wednesday. He was 62 years old.
Mr. Shero worked as an executive in the NHL for over three decades, most recently as a senior advisor for the Wild for the last three seasons. But his best years were in Pittsburgh, where he was the architect of the 2009 Stanley Cup-winning team.
"Ray was instrumental in ushering in a new era of Penguins hockey, highlighted by the 2009 Stanley Cup championship," the Penguins said in a statement. "We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, his sons Chris and Kyle, and all those fortunate enough to call him a friend. Ray was admired and loved in the hockey world, and especially here in Pittsburgh."
Sidney Crosby released a statement of his own, calling Mr. Shero “a big part of my early days in Pittsburgh.”
“He gave me a lot of opportunity as a young captain and supported me throughout his time,” Crosby said. “He did so much for our organization and my memories with him are special. I am grateful for our time spent here and that we were able to share a Stanley Cup championship together.”
Mr. Shero managed the Penguins from 2006-14, and made several key moves that led to the 2009 Stanley Cup win, including the acquisitions of Bill Guerin, Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis, and the promotion of Dan Bylsma to head coach. In 2012 he traded Jordan Staal to the Hurricanes for a package that included Brian Dumoulin, a move that continued to pay dividends for the Penguins' next two Stanley Cup wins in 2016 and 2017.
Players drafted by the Penguins under Mr. Shero included Staal, Bryan Rust, Jake Guentzel, Tristan Jarry, Matt Murray, Olli Maatta, Teddy Blueger, Tom Kuhnhackl, Josh Archibald and Scott Wilson.
A panel of league executives voted Mr. Shero the winner of the General Manager of the Year Award in 2013 after an offseason in which he acquired Brandon Sutter and Tomas Vokoun, and a trade deadline that saw the Penguins bring in Jarome Iginla, Brenden Morrow, Jussi Jokinen and Douglas Murray to finish No. 1 in the Eastern Conference.
Before joining the Penguins, Mr. Shero worked as an assistant general manager for the Senators from 1993-98, and in the same capacity with the Predators from 1998-06. After his time in Pittsburgh, he was general manager of the Devils from 2015-20.
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Taylor Haase
5:11 pm - 04.09.2025DowntownShero, architect of 2009 Stanley Cup win, dies at 62
Former Penguins general manager Ray Shero died, the Minnesota Wild announced on Wednesday. He was 62 years old.
Mr. Shero worked as an executive in the NHL for over three decades, most recently as a senior advisor for the Wild for the last three seasons. But his best years were in Pittsburgh, where he was the architect of the 2009 Stanley Cup-winning team.
"Ray was instrumental in ushering in a new era of Penguins hockey, highlighted by the 2009 Stanley Cup championship," the Penguins said in a statement. "We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, his sons Chris and Kyle, and all those fortunate enough to call him a friend. Ray was admired and loved in the hockey world, and especially here in Pittsburgh."
Sidney Crosby released a statement of his own, calling Mr. Shero “a big part of my early days in Pittsburgh.”
“He gave me a lot of opportunity as a young captain and supported me throughout his time,” Crosby said. “He did so much for our organization and my memories with him are special. I am grateful for our time spent here and that we were able to share a Stanley Cup championship together.”
Mr. Shero managed the Penguins from 2006-14, and made several key moves that led to the 2009 Stanley Cup win, including the acquisitions of Bill Guerin, Chris Kunitz and Pascal Dupuis, and the promotion of Dan Bylsma to head coach. In 2012 he traded Jordan Staal to the Hurricanes for a package that included Brian Dumoulin, a move that continued to pay dividends for the Penguins' next two Stanley Cup wins in 2016 and 2017.
Players drafted by the Penguins under Mr. Shero included Staal, Bryan Rust, Jake Guentzel, Tristan Jarry, Matt Murray, Olli Maatta, Teddy Blueger, Tom Kuhnhackl, Josh Archibald and Scott Wilson.
A panel of league executives voted Mr. Shero the winner of the General Manager of the Year Award in 2013 after an offseason in which he acquired Brandon Sutter and Tomas Vokoun, and a trade deadline that saw the Penguins bring in Jarome Iginla, Brenden Morrow, Jussi Jokinen and Douglas Murray to finish No. 1 in the Eastern Conference.
Before joining the Penguins, Mr. Shero worked as an assistant general manager for the Senators from 1993-98, and in the same capacity with the Predators from 1998-06. After his time in Pittsburgh, he was general manager of the Devils from 2015-20.
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