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Ray Shero '84 has been named the new general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins hockey team. The announcement was made May 25; he has been signed to a five-year contract.

Shero has been assistant general manager of the Nashville Predators for the past eight seasons. His responsibilities included scouting at the amateur and professional levels, contract negotiations, and personnel matters such as arbitration, in addition to overseeing operations of the Predators top minor-league affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League.

Text of the Penguins' press release about the appointment follows:

"Before joining the Predators organization, Shero spent six seasons as assistant general manager of the Ottawa Senators - joining the club in its second year of existence as an expansion team.
"A native of St. Paul, Minnesota, Shero played college hockey at St. Lawrence University, serving twice as team captain, and was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in 1982. He worked as a player agent for seven years before entering NHL management.

"Shero is the son of the late Fred Shero, who coached the Philadelphia Flyers for seven years and led them to back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 1973-74 and 1974-75. Fred Shero also was GM and coach of the New York Rangers from 1978-80.

"Shero joins a Penguins team that finished 29th in the overall NHL standings in 2005-06 but features 18-year-old phenom Sidney Crosby and a stable of other exciting young prospects.

"'My family and I are very excited to come to a great hockey town like Pittsburgh and become a part of the Penguins organization,' Shero said. 'Everyone in the hockey world knows about the Penguins' young talent, and the tremendous potential that we have here. I'm looking forward to working with the players coaches and staff - and I can't wait to get started.'"

Shero earned his St. Lawrence degree in sociology.

More information: Pittsburgh Penguins Web site

Posted: May 25 2006