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Finally, the Boston Bruins have found their general manager.
Don Sweeney, the club’s assistant general manager since the start of the 2009-10 season, has officially been promoted, taking over Peter Chiarelli’s post. Overall, Sweeney has spent nine years in the Bruins’ front office, with roles varying from Director of Player Development to Director of Hockey Operations, to even taking over the day-to-day operations of the Providence Bruins in 2014.
He’s put in a ton of work to become the eighth general manager in B’s history, which undoubtedly seemed to give the 48-year-old the inside track among the potential candidates.
"Don Sweeney stood out amongst an incredibly talented group of candidates that we considered for this hire," B’s CEO Charlie Jacobs, who conducted the search alongside team president Cam Neely (with the help of an ‘expanded role’ from Harry Sinden apparently), said. "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."
In this role, Sweeney will be in charge of all hockey operations involving the Black and Gold.
“I am both excited and humbled for the opportunity to be named the General Manager of the Boston Bruins,… Sweeney said through a statement. “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 spent 15 of his 16 NHL seasons with the Bruins, and is one of just four players to play over 1,000 games in a Bruins sweater, and is third on the team’s all-time games played list.
Both Jacobs and Neely will have a press conference to discuss this hiring at 1:30 p.m. at TD Garden.
Ty Anderson has been covering the Boston Bruins for HockeyBuzz.com since 2010, is a member of the Pro Hockey Writers Association's Boston Chapter, and can be contacted on Twitter, or emailed at Ty.AndersonHB[at]gmail.com