Pittsburgh Penguins president/chief executive officer David Morehouse left his post Wednesday after 16 years with the club.
During Morehouse’s time in charge, the Penguins won three Stanley Cups. His exit comes less than a year after previous owners Ron Burkle and Mario Lemieux sold the team to Fenway Sports Group.
“I want to thank Ron Burkle and Mario Lemieux for taking a chance on me in 2007 and giving this Pittsburgh kid the dream of a lifetime to run his hometown hockey team,” Morehouse said in a statement. “During those 16 years I’ve been lucky enough that this never felt like a ‘job.’ It always felt like a partnership — with ownership, players, coaches, staff, and Pittsburgh fans. We had some incredible times together, including three Stanley Cups and watching Pittsburgh turn into a true hockey town.”
Morehouse added, “I’m confident that the Penguins’ future is in good hands with Fenway Sports Group. The new ownership group prioritizes winning and that has always been the philosophy of the Pittsburgh Penguins. They have experience running successful franchises and we have some of the best staff in sports already in place. Together, the legacy of the Penguins is sure to continue.”
Fenway Sports Group principal owner John Henry and chairman Tom Werner said in a joint statement, “As a leader of the Penguins franchise for nearly a decade and a half, David presided over an era that is formidable in every way. We are grateful for the leadership he has provided throughout this remarkable period, overseeing the construction of a new arena, record sell-outs, and Stanley Cup championships.
“David has been instrumental in making the Penguins one of the most successful franchises in the NHL and we are thankful for the immense time, energy, and love he has poured into the organization.”
Morehouse first joined the Penguins in 2004 as a consultant regarding their new arena. He became club president three years later, ahead of the team’s championship runs in 2009, 2016 and 2017, and he added the CEO title in 2010.
The Penguins have sold out all 633 of their home games since February 2007, and they are headed to the postseason for the 16th consecutive year, the longest current run among teams in the NHL, NBA, NHL and MLB.
With Morehouse’s exit, Brian Burke and Kevin Acklin will run the Penguins’ front office.
–Field Level Media
