Boston Bruins Hire Don Sweeney as their Next General Manager

The Boston Bruins have hired Don Sweeney as their next general manager, the team announced on Wednesday.

Sweeney's statement read:

"I am both excited and humbled for the opportunity to be named the general manager of the Boston Bruins. I would like to thank the entire Jacobs family and specifically Mr. Jacobs and Charlie, as well as Cam, for bestowing the confidence and trust in me to direct this historic franchise in which I have been a part of for 24 years.

My family and friends have been extremely supportive throughout the general manager search process, and I certainly want to acknowledge them today to show my heartfelt appreciation. I am fully aware of everyone's expectations to move the organization forward. The challenges ahead rests with the players, the coaches and the management group to work hard to make the necessary changes to bring the Bruins back to the forefront of contending for the Stanley Cup."

Sweeney, 48 will take over for Peter Chiarelli, who was fired on April 15 after the Bruins failed to make it to the playoffs. Sweeney held the assistant general manager position for the past six seasons. The 2015-16 season will be his 10th season with the Bruins' front office. He will be the franchises' eighth general manager.

"Don has excelled in every role he has been in with the Bruins organization and has a comprehensive understanding of every aspect of our hockey operations department," Bruins president Cam Neely said. "His commitment and drive to bring a championship-caliber team to the Boston fans was evident every step of the way through this search process, and I am confident that his leadership of our hockey operations department will lead to success."

Sweeney will have to decide the fate of Bruins head coach, Claude Julien.

The Boston Globe wrote (via Yahoo! Sports):

"He will have to make a decision on Claude Julien. The coach's extension activates in 2015-16, and the Bruins would be responsible for Julien's contract if they let him go. Bruce Cassidy, Providence's head coach the last four seasons, would be a candidate to replace Julien. Sweeney holds Cassidy in high regard. Chances are that Sweeney, with Neely's input, has already been thinking about Julien's future, just as he has been studying the roster. This is the luxury of promoting a GM from within. Sweeney is familiar with everything. Daily activities will not change abruptly once he lands the job. The Bruins do not need disruption."

Sweeney played 16 seasons in the NHL, 15 of them with the Bruins, who drafted him in 1984. Sweeney made his NHL debut in 1988 and retired in 2004.