Jul 14, 2007, 22:05 GMT
Boston, MA - The Boston Bruins made a pair of moves to fill vacant positions in the club's front office Saturday, promoting Jim Benning to assistant general manager and Don Sweeney to director of hockey operations and player development.
Benning spent the 2006-2007 season, his first with the Bruins, as director of player personnel. He replaces Jeff Gorton, who held the position for the previous seven seasons before his firing on June 27.
Prior to his hiring last July, Benning spent 12 years with the Buffalo Sabres, the last eight as director of amateur scouting. He was drafted sixth overall by Toronto in the 1981 draft, and played nine NHL seasons with the Maple Leafs and Canucks.
'Jim has experience in a number of different positions, and he has achieved success wherever he has been,' said Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli. 'His expertise in player evaluation and his knowledge of the league-wide landscape will be extremely valuable to the organization.'
Sweeney, in his first year in the Bruins' front office, acted as the club's director of player development. The New Brunswick native played 16 years in the NHL, 15 of those with Boston, after the team selected him in the eighth round of the 1984 draft.
'In one year, Don has shown great hockey aptitude, and has been instrumental in moving forward our development plans for our younger players,' Chiarelli said. 'In his new position, Don will bring his expertise to the day-to-day hockey operations and will oversee our player development.'
The Bruins begin the 2007-2008 regular season October 5, on the road against the Dallas Stars.
© 2007 The Sports Network
Your Talkback on this Story