New York Rangers’ Senior Vice President and Assistant GM Jim Schoenfeld Steps Down
Schoenfeld joined the organization in 2002, and held a number of roles during his tenure.
Senior Vice President and Assistant General Manager Jim Schoenfeld has stepped down from his position with the team.
OFFICIAL: #NYR SVP & Asst GM Jim Schoenfeld stepped down from his position today.
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) May 16, 2019
“In nearly two decades with NYR, Jim made an impact on every level. His tireless efforts and contributions were vital to the extended run of success we experienced during his tenure.” - Glen Sather pic.twitter.com/Jkaniy0jWL
This move isn’t that surprising, as it comes weeks after Glen Sather stepped down from his role as team president. Schoenfeld worked closely with Sather, and he held a number of positions after joining the organization after serving as a lead analyst for ESPN’s National Hockey Night from 1999 through 2002.
From his bio on the team’s press release:
Schoenfeld was a member of the Rangers organization for 17 seasons (2002-03 - 2018-19), dating back to when he was named an Assistant Coach with the Blueshirts on June 12, 2002. During his tenure in the Rangers organization, he served in several capacities, including as an Assistant Coach with the Rangers, the Rangers’ Assistant General Manager, the General Manager of the Rangers’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate (either the Hartford Wolf Pack or the Connecticut Whale), and the Wolf Pack’s Head Coach. He served eight seasons as the Rangers’ Assistant General Manager, Player Personnel prior to being promoted to Senior Vice President and Assistant General Manager on July 1, 2015.
Schoenfeld served 14 seasons as the General Manager of the Wolf Pack/Whale (2003-04 - 2016-17), and he served as the team’s Head Coach for two seasons (2005-06 and 2006-07). He played a vital role in developing the organization’s pool of prospects, as several Rangers developed under his guidance in the AHL before becoming key contributors in New York.
Schoenfeld also served as the Rangers’ head coach for Game Six of the 2009 Eastern Conference Quarterfinal when John Tortorella was suspended for throwing a water bottle at a fan.
This move is likely a signal that the Rangers are getting closer to announcing their next team president — highly expected to be John Davidson — and they are clearing the way for him to install his own people.