Four days after firing their head coach, the New York Rangers announced on Wednesday that president and general manager Chris Drury has agreed to terms on a multi-year contract extension.
Terms were not disclosed, with the 48-year-old Drury saying in a news release that he is honored to continue in his role with the team the Connecticut native grew up supporting.
“As I said when I began in this role nearly four years ago,” Drury said, “there isn’t a more special organization in hockey and I look forward to continuing our work this offseason to help us reach our goals for next season and in the coming years.”
A top priority is replacing Peter Laviolette, who was fired Saturday along with associate head coach Phil Housley after the Rangers went 39-36-7 (85 points) and finished six points out of a playoff berth. One season earlier, New York won the Presidents’ Trophy with the best regular-season record (55-23-4, 114 points) before falling to the Florida Panthers in the Eastern Conference final.
Laviolette was hired in 2023 to replace the fired Gerard Gallant who, like Laviolette, lasted just two seasons in New York.
Drury was promoted to team president and general manager in May 2021 after six seasons in the front office. The Rangers have gone 193-105-30 in regular-season games and qualified for the playoffs three times — including runs to the conference finals in 2022 and 2024. The 193 wins are the most for the franchise over any four-year span.
“Over his tenure, Chris has shown passion for the Rangers, relentless work ethic, and a tireless pursuit of excellence,” James L. Dolan, MSG Sports Executive Chairman and CEO, said in the news release. “While we are all disappointed in what transpired this past season, I am confident in his ability to guide this organization to success.”
A former Rangers team captain, Drury played 892 games in 12 NHL seasons with the Colorado Avalanche (1998-2003), Calgary Flames (2002-03), Buffalo Sabres (2003-07) and New York (2007-11).
–Field Level Media
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