The Boston Bruins promoted Don Sweeney to general manager on Wednesday to replace his former boss.
Sweeney, 48, served as the team’s assistant general manager for the past six seasons under former general manager Peter Chiarelli, who was fired on April 15.
“I am fully aware of everyone’s expectations to move the organization forward,” Sweeney said in a statement released by the team. “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.”
The Bruins missed the Stanley Cup playoffs this season for the first time since the 2006-07 season. The Bruins went 41-27-14 for 96 points, two behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference.
“Don Sweeney stood out amongst an incredibly talented group of candidates that we considered for this hire,” chief executive officer Charlie Jacobs 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.”
Sweeney becomes the eighth GM in franchise history. He will enter his 10th season in the front office, joining the Bruins in 2006 as the team’s director of player development. He was named to the position of director of hockey operations in 2007 before being promoted to assistant general manager in September 2009.
His portfolio expanded further in 2014 when he was appointed as general manager of Boston’s American Hockey League affiliate in Providence where he oversaw all hockey operations.
“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,” Bruins president Cam Neely said. “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.”
Drafted by the Bruins in the eighth round in the 1984 NHL Draft, Sweeney went on to play four seasons at Harvard University.
The defenseman played 16 seasons in the NHL, including 15 in a Bruins uniform. He played his final NHL season with the Dallas Stars in 2003-04.
Sweeney had 52 goals, 273 points and was plus-112 in 1,115 regular-season games for the Bruins and Stars. He helped the Bruins to the Stanley Cup Final in 1990 and had nine goals and 19 points in 108 Stanley Cup playoff games.
“I am both excited and humbled for the opportunity to be named the general manager of the Boston Bruins,” Sweeney said. “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.”