Jim Rutherford

Last updated

Jim Rutherford
Hockey Hall of Fame, 2019 (Builder)
Born (1949-02-17) February 17, 1949 (age 75)
Beeton, Ontario, Canada
Height 5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Weight 168 lb (76 kg; 12 st 0 lb)
Position Goaltender
Caught Left [1]
Played for Detroit Red Wings
Pittsburgh Penguins
Toronto Maple Leafs
Los Angeles Kings
National teamFlag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
NHL draft 10th overall, 1969
Detroit Red Wings
Playing career 19691983

James Earl Rutherford (born February 17, 1949) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender and executive. He is the president of hockey operations of the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Prior to his position with the Canucks, Rutherford held the same position with the Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes for almost two decades, assuming the position in June 1994 and stepping down from that position in April 2014. [2] He then joined the Pittsburgh Penguins as general manager, having been named to that position on June 6, 2014, and resigning on January 27, 2021, [3] citing "personal reasons". [4] Rutherford has won the Stanley Cup three times as a general manager, with the Hurricanes in 2006 and with the Penguins in 2016 and 2017.

Contents

Playing career

Rutherford played in the NHL from 1969 to 1983; the majority of his career was spent with the Detroit Red Wings, but he also spent time with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Los Angeles Kings. As a goaltender Rutherford won 151, lost 227 and tied 59 games. [5] Rutherford retired as a player in 1983 at the age of 33.

Post-playing career

Prior to serving with the Penguins as general manager, Rutherford was the president and general manager, as well as a part-owner of the Carolina Hurricanes – known as the Hartford Whalers until 1997 – having joined the franchise in 1994 and helping build the Hurricanes team that won the Stanley Cup in 2006. Later he helped build the Penguins team that won the Stanley Cup in 2016 and again in 2017. [6] [7] [8]

Rutherford in 1976, while a member of the Detroit Red Wings. Jim Rutherford 1976.JPG
Rutherford in 1976, while a member of the Detroit Red Wings.

Rutherford was one of the pioneers of the popular trend of ice hockey goaltenders decorating his mask in 1976. Initially, a friend painted a pair of red wings at the temples of Rutherford's mask without his permission. Because he did not have time to get another fitted mask before game time, he reluctantly wore the decorated mask on the ice. On June 23, 2016, he won the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award. In 2019, Jim Rutherford was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Rutherford resigned from his post as general manager of the Penguins on January 27, 2021, due to personal reasons. [9] On December 9, 2021, Rutherford was named president of hockey operations and interim general manager of the Vancouver Canucks. [10]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGPWLTMINGA SO GAA SV% GPWLMINGASOGAASV%
1966–67 Aurora Tigers SJHL 3018006322.10
1967–68 Hamilton Red Wings OHA-Jr. 95101902.2410020000.001.000
1968–69 Hamilton Red WingsOHA-Jr.45273016333.3653002705.40
1968–69 Montréal Jr. Canadiens M-Cup 660366203.28
1969–70 Fort Worth Wings CHL 35121482,0609212.684312441202.95
1970–71 Detroit Red Wings NHL 2971531,4989413.77.877
1970–71 Fort Worth WingsCHL31801103.66
1971–72 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL40171552,16011613.22.8944042401403.50.903
1971–72 Hershey Bears AHL 3300180702.33
1972–73 Pittsburgh PenguinsNHL49202252,66012932.91.912
1973–74 Pittsburgh PenguinsNHL2671241,4288203.45.883
1973–74Detroit Red WingsNHL2591141,4188603.64.888
1974–75 Detroit Red WingsNHL592029103,47521723.75.877
1975–76 Detroit Red WingsNHL44132562,63315843.60.885
1976–77 Detroit Red WingsNHL4873462,73618003.95.867
1977–78 Detroit Red WingsNHL43201742,46613413.26.8803211801204.01.862
1978–79 Detroit Red WingsNHL32131451,89010313.27.884
1979–80 Detroit Red WingsNHL2361331,3219214.18.854
1980–81 Detroit Red WingsNHL102626004304.30.850
1980–81 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL1841029598105.07.853
1980–81 Los Angeles Kings NHL33001801003.33.89610020206.00.750
1981–82 Los Angeles KingsNHL73303804306.79.792
1981–82 New Haven Nighthawks AHL29121141,6148903.31.877
1982–83 Detroit Red WingsNHL101060707.00.821
1982–83 Adirondack Red Wings AHL123715914404.47.853
NHL totals4571512275925,8521575143.66.8798254402803.82.883

International

YearTeamEventGPWLTMINGASOGAA
1977 Canada WC 210089704.72
1979 CanadaWC61503202404.50
Senior totals82504093104.55

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References

  1. "Jim Rutherford NHL Statistics" . Retrieved January 17, 2013.
  2. "Ron Francis is promoted to Hurricanes general manager". USA Today . April 28, 2014.
  3. Rutherford named GM of Penguins, Bylsma fired
  4. "Reasons behind Rutherford's departure remain a mystery". Pensburgh. January 28, 2021.
  5. "Jim Rutherford Stats".
  6. Canes' Rutherford expected to give up GM duties at end of the season, News Observer
  7. Francis replaces Rutherford as Hurricanes' GM
  8. Bob McKenzie [@TSNBobMcKenzie] (June 6, 2014). "Jim Rutherford is going to be announced as the new GM of the Pittsburgh Penguins. #TSN" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  9. "Rutherford resigns as Penguins general manager". TSN.ca. January 27, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  10. "Jim Rutherford Named President, Hockey Operations". NHL.com. December 9, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2021.
Sporting positions
Preceded by Detroit Red Wings first round draft pick
1969
Succeeded by
Preceded by General manager of the Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes
19942014
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Jason Botterill
(interim)
General manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins
20142021
Succeeded by
Patrik Allvin
(interim)
Preceded by
Stan Smyl
(interim)
General manager of the Vancouver Canucks
(interim)

2021–2022
Succeeded by