Just days after the Pittsburgh Penguins mourned the loss of former netminder and sports reporter Greg Millen, news broke on Wednesday morning that former Stanley Cup-winning General Manager Ray Shero had passed away at 62.
Shero joined the Penguins in 2006 and helped guide them to the Stanley Cup Final in 2008 and 2009, earning his only championship in 2009. His father, Fred Shero, was a two-time winner with the Philadelphia Flyers in 1974 and 1975.
The Penguins organization joins the family, friends and colleagues of former Penguins General Manager Ray Shero as we mourn his passing. pic.twitter.com/2TaU2AtBBj
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 9, 2025
Before coming to Pittsburgh, Shero worked for the Ottawa Senators (1993-1998)and Nashville Predators (1998-2006). He was relieved of his duties in the spring of 2014 after the Penguins' second-round playoff loss; however, he wasn't unemployed for long as the New Jersey Devils hired him on May 4, 2015.
Shero was the Devils' general manager for five years before Lou Lamoriello replaced him on Jan. 12, 2020. Most recently, Shero was an advisor with the Minnesota Wild.
Initially drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the 11th round (216th overall), Shero played at St. Lawerence University from 1980 to 1985, serving as captain in his final season, but never played in the NHL.
Pittsburgh Penguins Schedule: Remaining Games & Statistical NotesThe Pittsburgh Penguins are winding down their 2024-25 season and will miss the Stanley Cup playoffs for the third consecutive season, a first in Sidney Crosby's 20-year career. However, there is plenty to play for in the final weeks.
If you asked a hockey fan a week ago who the best player outside of the NHL is, you’d get a bunch of respectable answers. One name that may come up is Ivan Demidov, who Chicago Blackhawks fans may know well.
Demidov was in the mix to be selected second overall by the Blackhawks in the 2024 NHL Draft. Instead, however, Chicago ended up taking defenseman Artyom Levshunov out of Michigan State University. Demidov ended up falling to the Montreal Canadiens at five.
In 2024-25, playing for SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL, Demidov had 19 goals and 30 assists for 49 points in 65 games played. That is a great total for a KHL forward who isn’t even 20 years old yet.
Whether Demidov is a center or wing in the NHL remains to be seen, but he is a shifty/highly skilled offensive powerhouse. His ceiling is an elite-level producer.
On Tuesday, it became official that the Canadiens would be signing Demidov to his entry level deal. There was some uncertainty there as he was signed to a KHL contract. Ultimately, Demidov and St. Petersburg decided to part ways so he can pursue his dream of playing in the NHL.
It is unclear when Demidov is expected to arrive in Montreal, but they are likely going to be playing in the playoffs, so he will help them there. He should also get some time in the regular season before the postseason begins.
Next Monday (April 14th), the Blackhawks will be in Montreal to take on the Canadiens. This means that Levshunov and Demidov could face off in the NHL for the first time. After all of the dialogue comparing these two ahead of their draft, there will be some excitement surrounding their first matchup.
Demidov has everything he needs entering his first stretch of NHL hockey. Montreal is winning a ton of games, they are likely going to the playoffs, and their building is incredible this time of year when the team is good.
Young players like Lane Hutson, Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Juraj Slafkovsky, among others, will be perfect to surround a player like Ivan Demidov. They will create hockey magic together for a long time.
How will they compare with the Blackhawks' young core? It is hard to tell right now because Chicago is a year or two behind in terms of the rebuild process, but they should play a good game against each other. If Demidov does live up to the hype, the Habs are getting a consequential player at the most important time.
Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.
The AHL's Player Safety Committee has announced that Bridgeport Islanders forward Adam Beckman has been suspended 10 games for abuse of official.
The incident occurred in a game against the Charlotte Checkers on Apr. 5 and falls under AHL Rule 40.3 for physical abuse of official (Category II) that triggers an automatic suspension.
A free agent at the end of the season, Beckman will miss the Islanders' final five games of the season and five games the next time he is on an AHL roster.
Beckman has 40 points in 55 games between Bridgeport and the Utica Comets this season. He was acquired by Bridgeport on Mar. 7 in exchange for Dennis Cholowski.
Check out The Hockey News' New York Islanders team site for more updates.
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Longtime NHL GM and executive Ray Shero died at 62 years old.
Shero was a senior advisor with the Minnesota Wild, which announced the news on Wednesday.
“The Minnesota Wild is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Ray Shero,” the team wrote. “Our hearts go out to his family and friends and the countless people he impacted in the hockey community throughout his successful career. Ray was the best. He will be greatly missed by all of us.”
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman also offered his condolences to the Shero family and shared what he remembered about him and his presence.
“Ray Shero’s smile and personality lit up every room he walked into and brightened the day of everyone he met,” Bettman said.
“Whenever we ran into each other at a rink when he was scouting, it was clear he loved what he was doing, and I always marvelled at his infectious enthusiasm. The (NHL) family mourns his passing and sends our deepest condolences to the Shero family and Ray’s many friends.”
Vice president and director of NHL Central Scouting, Dan Marr, also remembered Shero’s love for scouting.
“He loved being in the rinks with scouts at games and tournaments and was very forward-thinking in approaching new concepts concerning the NHL draft combine and NHL draft,” Marr said.
Shero was in his fourth season as a senior advisor to GM Bill Guerin and the Wild organization. Before that, he was GM of the New Jersey Devils for five seasons and the Pittsburgh Penguins for eight seasons. Before that, he started off as an assistant GM for the Ottawa Senators from 1993 and 1998 and the Nashville Predators from 1998 to 2006.
Just two seasons after Shero got his first GM gig with the Penguins in 2006-07, he won the Stanley Cup in 2008-09. Later in his Pittsburgh tenure, he was named GM of the year for the 2012-13 season.
"Ray was instrumental in ushering in a new era of Penguins hockey, highlighted by the 2009 Stanley Cup championship," the Penguins said in a statement. "We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, his sons, Chris and Kyle, and all those fortunate enough to call him a friend."
After his time with the Penguins organization, he was brought on board as assistant GM for Team USA at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. He was also part of the management crew for the U.S. in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
USA Hockey said Shero was a significant contributor to the organization and its men's national team program.
"Ray, thank you for everything," USA Hockey said.
In 2015-16, he began a new chapter with the Devils and would stay on board for the next five seasons. He drafted players such as Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier, two centers who lead New Jersey today.
“Ray was a highly respected executive, enthusiastic mentor, and most importantly, tremendous friend to many during his time in New Jersey,” Devils GM Tim Fitzgerald said in a statement. “Ray came from a family that dedicated themselves to the game, and he continued to pass that commitment on.”
The Chicago Blackhawks are excited about their many good young players. Developing talent isn’t easy in the NHL. You need good leadership from coaches and management, but you also need veteran players to help out.
One of those players for Chicago in 2024-25 has been Patrick Maroon. He’s only been with the Blackhawks for this one season, but his impact will be long-lasting. The young guys on the team will be better for having Maroon as a teammate.
On Wednesday, Maroon was announced as the Blackhawks’ nominee for the Masterton Trophy. One player from every team is nominated each year. The winner will be the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.
Maroon has been a pro hockey player for a long time. That includes 14 years in the NHL, which will conclude with the Blackhawks at the end of this year. He has had various roles with different teams throughout his career.
Maroon’s peak came when he won three consecutive Stanley Cups in 2019, 2020, and 2021 (one with the St. Louis Blues and two with the Tampa Bay Lightning). He also had a 27-goal season when he was a member of the Edmonton Oilers, which will stand as his career high.
With the Blackhawks, he played the role of a mentor on a rebuilding team. The height of that came around the holidays when he took young Lukas Reichel to St. Louis with his family once he learned that Reichel had nowhere to go during the break. It was a great display of leadership and his desire to make people feel good.
Maroon can retire from the game knowing he made a lasting impact in multiple ways. Ending it with a Masterton Trophy nomination is the perfect way for him to go out because of what the award means.
Bryan Berard was the last Blackhawk to win the Masterton in 2004. Before that, Pit Martin was the only other Blackhawks player to earn it back in 1970.
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