With President John Davidson and General Manager Jeff Gorton both out of the picture on Wednesday afternoon after their formidable layoffs, Chris Drury is now at the forefront of the Rangers operation.
After Drury was off the assistant earlier this season Having been promoted to assistant general manager, he will now serve as president and general manager of the Rangers.
Drury, 44, has worked his way up through the Rangers organization for the past six years. He was named Director of Player Development in September 2015 before being promoted to Assistant General Manager the following year. In 2018, Drury added the general manager of the team’s AHL subsidiary, the Hartford Wolf Pack, to his résumé.
The Rangers signed a contract renewal for Drury in March 2019 after continuing to play an important role in strengthening the once the organization’s tight pool of prospects. Drury was a center from 1998 to 2011, spending the last four seasons of his playing career with the Rangers.
Drury proved his dedication and loyalty to the organization in February when the Penguins made the former Rangers captain almost to their best GM candidates proclaimed. He turned down the penguins and said he didn’t want to leave New York. The Rangers rewarded Drury with a new title: Associate General Manager.
« Chris is a much sought-after manager and a strong leader who has proven to be one of the best young minds in hockey, » said CEO Jim Dolan in the official Announcement of the team about the change in leadership. « We are confident that he will lead the team effectively to ensure the long-term success we promised Rangers fans. » Former Rangers GM Glen Sather, now Senior Advisor and Deputy Governor, will become Drury support him in his transition and continue to take on an advisory role.
As a Hobey Baker Award winner at Boston University, where he helped the Terriers to an NCAA title in 1995, Drury was elected by the Quebec Nordiques (now Colorado Avalanche) in 1994 moved to 72nd place overall. He began his NHL career in the 1998/99 season. He scored 44 points in his rookie year and won the Calder Trophy as the best rookie in the league. Drury also won a Stanley Cup with the Avs in 2001.
He became the first player in history to win both the Hobey Baker Award and the Calder Trophy.
After stints with the Flames and Sabers in 2002 through 2007, Drury signed a five-year contract with the Rangers in the free agency. He was named captain in October 2008 after the departure of Jaromir Jagr. He also appeared on the US Olympic team, who lost in the 2010 gold medal game to the Canadians.
Drury was bought out of the last year of his contract in 2011 after it was revealed that he was in a degenerative condition in left knee that forced him to retire.
The Rangers have made it known how much they appreciate Drury over the years. And now the franchise is hoping he can complete the rebuilding and make the team a consistent Stanley Cup contender.
© 2021 NYP Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved
Terms of Use
Data protection
Your ad choices
Page index
Your California Privacy Rights
Do not sell my personal information
Ref: https://nypost.com
