Earlier this year, New Jersey Devils fans received the unfortunate news that former general manager Ray Shero passed away. The Minnesota Wild, the organization where Shero acted as a special advisor, announced his passing. He was just 62 years old.
The announcement shocked many around the NHL, who have been around both Ray Shero and his father, Fred Shero, who led a legacy of NHL success behind them.
Shero was the Devils’ general manager from 2015 to 2020. He had the unenviable job to put New Jersey into a rebuild after attempts by Lou Lamoriello to extend the team’s contention window failed. He inherited a team that had the worst prospect pool in the league, with Steve Santini as their top prospect. During his five years, he drafted Mackenzie Blackwood, Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, Akira Schmid, Yegor Sharangovich, Jesper Bratt, Fabian Zetterlund, Nathan Bastian, and Arseniy Gritsyuk. Many of them are still in the NHL today.
However, Shero’s best years came with the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he solidified Sidney Crosby’s legacy and set them up for a dynasty. He was known as a guy ready to make a big swing when necessary, including the acquisitions of studs like Marian Hossa, James Neal, Jarome Iginla and Chris Kunitz. He also drafted the likes of Bryan Rust, Jake Guentzel, and Matt Murray.
The Pittsburgh Penguins announced this week that they are re-introducing the Penguins Hall of Fame, and Shero will be one of the first new members inducted. He joins former Devils forward Jaromir Jagr, Hall of Famer Tom Barrasso, and fan favorite Chris Kunitz in this year’s class. In total, there will be 10 new names joining the Penguins Hall of Fame.
This is a deserved honor that we all wish Shero was alive to accept. It will be an emotional ceremony when the Penguins honor Shero on October 25th prior to their game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.