Ray Shero
Rejean "Ray" Shero | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Died | April 9, 2025 (aged 62) Arizona, U.S. |
| Occupation | Ice hockey executive |
| Years active | 1993–2025 |
| Known for | General manager of Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils |
Rejean "Ray" Shero (July 28, 1962 – April 9, 2025) was a prominent American ice hockey executive within the National Hockey League (NHL). He held the general manager position for both the Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils between 2006 and 2020.
Shero competed at the collegiate level with the St. Lawrence Saints and was selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the 1982 NHL Entry Draft, although he never appeared in an NHL game. His executive career began as assistant general manager with the Ottawa Senators from 1993 to 1998, followed by a similar role with the Nashville Predators until 2006. Shero then took over as GM of the Penguins from 2006 to 2014, during which time the team reached back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals, capturing the championship in 2009. After being relieved of his duties post-2014 playoffs, he assumed the general manager role for the New Jersey Devils in May 2015, succeeding Lou Lamoriello, and remained there until January 2020. Additionally, Shero contributed as an executive for the United States men’s ice hockey teams at both the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympic Games.
He was the son of Fred Shero, who coached both the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers.
Early life
Born on July 28, 1962, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Rejean Shero was raised by his Canadian-born parents Fred and Mariette Shero. His father notably led the Philadelphia Flyers to two Stanley Cup victories during the mid-1970s. Growing up immersed in NHL circles, Shero gained early insight into hockey operations through his father’s relationships with coaches such as Terry Crisp and Pat Quinn.
During the 1984–85 NCAA season, Shero served as captain of the St. Lawrence Saints. Although he was selected in the 11th round of the 1982 NHL Entry Draft by the Los Angeles Kings, he never advanced to play professionally in the NHL.
Executive career
Before moving into management roles within NHL franchises, Shero worked as a hockey agent. He then held assistant general manager positions with the Ottawa Senators from 1993 until 1998 and subsequently with the Nashville Predators through 2006.
Pittsburgh Penguins (2006–2014)
In 2006, Shero was named general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins. He orchestrated significant player acquisitions including forwards Mark Recchi, Jarkko Ruutu, defenseman Mark Eaton, and executed trades bringing in Nils Ekman and Dominic Moore. At the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Shero selected center Jordan Staal second overall; Staal contributed an impressive 29 goals and totaled 42 points during his rookie campaign alongside fellow newcomer Evgeni Malkin.
Approaching the 2007 trade deadline, Shero enhanced team grit by adding veteran forward Gary Roberts and enforcer Georges Laraque. The following off-season saw signings of defenseman Darryl Sydor, forwards Petr Sýkora and Jeff Taffe, plus backup goaltender Dany Sabourin. Key contract extensions were also secured under Shero’s leadership: defenseman Ryan Whitney agreed to a six-year deal worth $24 million, while captain Sidney Crosby signed a five-year contract valued at $43.5 million.
Shero also ensured stability behind the bench by extending head coach Michel Therrien through to the end of the 2008–09 season. At the trade deadline in 2008, Shero strengthened Pittsburgh’s roster by acquiring star forward Marián Hossa and winger Pascal Dupuis from the Atlanta Thrashers, along with defenseman Hal Gill from the Toronto Maple Leafs, exchanging prospects and draft picks to finalize these deals.
During Shero’s tenure, the Penguins secured their Stanley Cup title in 2009 by defeating the Detroit Red Wings in a seven-game series, avenging their previous loss to Detroit in the Finals one year earlier.
For his efforts during the shortened 2012–13 season, Shero received the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award. Despite this accolade, following a second-round playoff defeat to the New York Rangers in 2014—where Pittsburgh lost a commanding 3–1 series lead—Shero was dismissed on May 16, 2014. This marked Pittsburgh’s fifth straight playoff exit at the hands of a lower-seeded opponent during his management period.
New Jersey Devils (2015–2020)
On May 4, 2015, Shero was named general manager of the New Jersey Devils. During his tenure, he was responsible for significant acquisitions and signings such as Taylor Hall, Will Butcher, Jesper Bratt, Kyle Palmieri, Sami Vatanen, P. K. Subban, Wayne Simmonds, Jack Hughes, and Nico Hischier. Although the team faced initial difficulties, they secured a spot in the Stanley Cup playoffs in 2018 but were defeated in the opening round by the Tampa Bay Lightning with a series score of 4–1.
Shero’s term ended on January 12, 2020, when he was relieved of his duties and replaced by assistant general manager Tom Fitzgerald.
Minnesota Wild (2021–2025)
In June 2021, Shero took on the position of senior advisor to management with the Minnesota Wild, a capacity in which he served until his passing in 2025.
Personal life and death
Shero and his wife Karen had two sons: Chris, who works as a scout for the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Kyle, employed as a scout for the Philadelphia Flyers.
He passed away at age 62 on April 9, 2025, in Arizona following a brief illness. Reports from Pittsburgh Hockey Now indicated that he had been receiving treatment for an aggressive cancer.