Sather stepping down as Rangers' GM, will stay as president

Jul 1, 2015 - 8:21 PM GREENBURGH, N.Y. (AP) Glen Sather is stepping down as the general manager of the New York Rangers and being replaced by longtime assistant Jeff Gorton.

In making the announcement of the front office change on Wednesday, Sather said he would remain as the Rangers president.

Sather also announced that Jim Schoenfeld has been named senior vice president and assistant general manager and general manager of the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL).

The 71-year-old Sather has been in charge of the Rangers since 2000. The team has made the Eastern Conference finals in three of the past four seasons, reaching the Stanley Cup Finals in 2014, where they lost to the Kings in five games.

Prior to joining the Rangers, the Hall of Famer guided the Edmonton Oilers to five Stanley Cups, four coaching and one as general manager.

''Jeff has been an integral part of our success since joining the Rangers, and he has earned the respect of colleagues throughout the hockey community,'' Sather said. ''He is well prepared for and extremely deserving of this opportunity.''

Gorton, 46, has been with the Rangers for the past eight seasons, serving as assistant general manager the past four seasons. He originally was hired as a scout in 2007.

During his tenure, he has played a key role in the selection of current players Derek Stepan, Chris Kreider, Jesper Fast, and J.T. Miller in the draft, and was vital in the Rangers' acquisitions of Ryan McDonagh, Rick Nash, Derick Brassard, and Keith Yandle, as well as the signing of free agents Kevin Hayes and Mats Zuccarello.

Prior to joining the Rangers, Gorton spent 15 seasons with the Boston Bruins organization, serving as assistant general manager during the final seven years.

Schoenfeld, 62, served the past eight seasons as assistant general manager of player personnel. He had a hand in all player transactions, and was also responsible for all hockey-related matters for the Wolf Pack.

Schoenfeld has served as general manager of the Wolf Pack for the past 12 seasons and served as head coach of the team for two seasons in 2005-06 and 2006-07.

In addition to his front office roles with the Rangers, Schoenfeld also served as an assistant coach with the Blueshirts during the 2002-03 season.

Schoenfeld compiled a 256-246-78 record over 10 seasons as an NHL head coach with the Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils, Washington Capitals and Phoenix Coyotes, and he reached the playoffs in six of the 10 seasons.

Schoenfeld skated in 719 games with the Sabres, Detroit Red Wings and Boston Bruins from 1972-73 through 1984-85.