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Heartbreaking New Details Emerge About Former Penguins GM Ray Shero's Sudden Passing
Photo credit: Pittsburgh Penguins
The hockey world lost Ray Shero recently, and heartbreaking new details have emerged, and it was believed he was battling an aggressive form of cancer.
Former Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ray Shero passed away recently at the age of 62. A cause of death was not released, but it was now reported, as new details have been released, that he had been battling an aggressive cancer.
Shero took over as Penguins' GM in 2006, succeeding Craig Patrick, and remained in the position until 2014. During his tenure, the Penguins captured their third Stanley Cup in 2009.
A risk-taker in terms of making roster transactions, he made blockbuster deals for star players like Marian Hossa in 2008 and Jarome Iginla in 2013 in a bid to boost his team's prospects for a title.
Upon his departure from Pittsburgh, Shero went on to become GM of the New Jersey Devils.
More recently, he was a senior advisor to Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin, a Penguins alum and member of a class of hockey executives who have learned from Shero.
Others in his managerial tree include Tom Fitzgerald, the current Devils' GM, and Jason Botterill, the former Buffalo GM and current assistant GM in Seattle.
Son of legendary NHL coach Fred Shero, Ray began as a player agent before transitioning to the front office in Nashville with David Poile. He also had extensive involvement with USA Hockey throughout his career.
Several Penguins players shared their feelings on Shero's passing
Several Penguins players spoke about Shero and how much he meant to the team, and sent his family all of their thoughts and prayers.
"I remember just being a young player and just how instrumental he was. We had lost, we finished last the year before he came in, and really established how he wanted to change the culture and wanted to get back to winning."
- Sidney Crosby
- Sidney Crosby
"It's a tough loss. I just knew yesterday. I hope his family is fine. Again, like, he's an amazing guy. We win together. He give me nice contract, you know? But again, it's very, very tough. He's still young. Again, I hope his family is OK."
- Evgeni Malkin
- Evgeni Malkin
"I think we were all kind of young when we came in. Ray did a pretty good job of taking care of us and making sure we came through into more of men, became adults and the person we are today."
- Kris Letang
- Kris Letang
His death was a shock to the hockey fraternity, and everyone was left surprised and saddened by his premature departure. The hockey world will never be the same again.
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