The Minnesota Wild got their man when they hired Paul Fenton to be their next general manager, and now they’ve hired the man who taught Fenton everything he knows. Jack Ferreira, legendary NHL executive and mentor, has been hired as the Minnesota assistant to the GM. In the press release, Fenton explains his relationship with his new assistant:
He’s certainly one of the people who has influenced my career, not only from when I was a kid playing, but all the advice he’s given me over the years. I learned so much working for him in Anaheim and continuing a relationship as we’ve gone forward in professional hockey. I look forward to having him here as a really good guidance piece.
Ferreira, 73, has worked with teams all across the NHL and has been a big part of developing hockey in the state of California. Most recently he had spent 12 years with the Los Angeles Kings working as a senior advisor that helped in a variety of responsibilities, but left the organization last month. His wealth of knowledge, and championship history—three Stanley Cups and a World Cup gold medal—will be priceless for Fenton to call on as he begins his new role with the Wild. Speaking about his new boss, Ferreira made it clear that he won’t try to impose his will when it comes to decision making:
I told him there’s going to be issues where we don’t agree. But we’re going to be united. He’ll have the final say, and whatever we do, I’m going to back him. We’re not going to see eye-to-eye all the time.
The Wild are trying desperately to overcome their history of early playoff exits, and let long-time GM Chuck Fletcher go earlier this spring. Fenton will try to find a way to push them over the top, and get to the point of real Stanley Cup contention.