Hurricanes Sign Rutherford to Multi-Year Deal
PrintCarolina’s only General Manager to remain in President/GM role
RALEIGH, NC—Peter Karmanos Jr., Owner/CEO of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has signed President and General Manager Jim Rutherford to a five-year contract. Rutherford, the team’s only general manager since its arrival in North Carolina, is currently the NHL’s second-longest tenured general manager.
“Jim has been the face of the Hurricanes since the team’s arrival in North Carolina,” said Karmanos. “The franchise has seen continued growth and success under his leadership, and he has been regularly recognized as one of the best in the business.”
Rutherford
Under Rutherford, the Hurricanes have earned a 319-297-102-20 (W-L-T/OT-OTL) regular-season record since arriving in North Carolina prior to the 1997-98 season, including a pair of trips to the Stanley Cup Finals and the first Stanley Cup Championship in franchise history in 2006. Rutherford's management efforts were recognized in 2002 and 2006 when The Hockey News named him “Executive of the Year” and in 2006 when he was voted by his NHL-management peers as The Sporting News’ “Executive of the Year.” In December 2006, the Triangle Business Journal named Rutherford the area’s “2006 Businessperson of the Year.”
The Hurricanes captured their first Eastern Conference championship in 2002, and again won the Prince of Wales Trophy in 2006. Rutherford brought the first major professional sports championship to North Carolina when the Hurricanes defeated Edmonton 3-1 in the deciding seventh game of the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals at the RBC Center. The Hurricanes have won the Southeast Division title in three of the last seven seasons, and established new franchise records for wins and points in a season in 2005-06.
Rutherford completed his 13th year as general manager in 2006-07, making him the longest-tenured general manager in franchise history. As president of the Hurricanes, Rutherford oversees the operation of the Hurricanes, the Florida Everblades (ECHL) and the Plymouth Whalers (OHL). He was originally named the team’s president and general manager when the KTR Partnership - the ownership group comprised of Peter Karmanos Jr., Thomas Thewes and Rutherford - purchased the Hartford Whalers on June 28, 1994.
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