The Boston Bruins will, for the foreseeable future, be run by a couple of guys who've spent almost the entirety of their playing and NHL executive careers as members of the franchise.
Former power forward extraordinaire and current Bruins President Cam Neely announced today that one-time Bruins defenseman Don Sweeney has been named the next General Manager of the NHL's Boston franchise.
"Don has excelled in every role he has been in with the Bruins organization and has a comprehensive understanding of every aspect of our hockey operations department," said Neely. "His commitment and drive to bring a championship caliber team to the Boston fans was evident every step of the way through this search process, and I am confident that his leadership of our hockey operations department will lead to success."
Charlie Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer of Delaware North's Boston Holdings, Neely and Sweeney will hold a press conference today at 1:30 p.m. to address the move.
"Don Sweeney stood out amongst an incredibly talented group of candidates that we considered for this hire," said Jacobs. "He carries a unique and impressive mix of playing experience, front office experience and business acumen. Don has complete understanding of what it means to be a Bruin and we have full confidence in him to steward the organization back to being Stanley Cup contenders year in and year out."
Now the eighth general manager in Bruins franchise history, the 48-year-old Sweeney will oversee every aspect of the team's hockey operations.
"I am both excited and humbled for the opportunity to be named the General Manager of the Boston Bruins," said Sweeney. "I would like to thank the entire Jacobs' family and specifically Mr. Jacobs and Charlie, as well as, Cam for bestowing the confidence and trust in me to direct this historic franchise in which I have been a part of for 24 years. My family and friends have been extremely supportive throughout the General Manager search process and I certainly want to acknowledge them today to show my heartfelt appreciation. I am fully aware of everyone's expectations to move the organization forward. The challenges ahead rests with the players, the coaches and the management group to work hard to make the necessary changes to bring the Bruins back to the forefront of contending for the Stanley Cup."
Sweeney has been a member of the Bruins front office for a decade. He spent the past six seasons as Assistant General Manager. In 2014 he was appointed as General Manager of Boston's AHL affiliate in Providence.
A former eighth-round pick for Boston, Sweeney's NHL playing career lasted 16 seasons, 15 of which he spent with the Bruins.
He, along with Jacobs and Neely, will be tasked with returning the once-proud Bruins to elite contender status after a down season in 2014-15 which saw his predecessor, Peter Chiarelli, relieved of his duties.
