Bruins fire GM Mike O'Connell...

"Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Boston Bruins president Harry Sinden announced on Saturday that the club has relieved Mike O'Connell from his general manager position.

"The position we find ourselves in relative to the post-season has dictated that a change would be made," said Sinden. "Our judgment was that it would be unfair to Mike O'Connell to continue working at this job once this decision had been made."

Sinden also announced that assistant general manager Jeff Gorton will take over as the interim GM. The 37-year-old is in his 14th season with the Boston organization.

"Obviously it's been a difficult day," said Gorton. "I've worked with Mike for a long time. He's a good friend of mine. I spoke with him. This is a job I've always wanted and dreamed of having, but under these circumstances, it isn't how I would have drawn it up."

Boston has struggled this season with a record of 27-32-12. They are also currently 10 points out of the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

O'Connell made a questionable trade earlier this season when he shipped Boston's franchise center Joe Thornton to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Marco Sturm, Wayne Primeau and Brad Stuart. Thornton is currently second in the NHL with 100 points and leads the league with 75 assists."

The 50-year-old O'Connell spent 21 years in the Boston organization. He was named the sixth GM in Bruins history on November 1, 2000. During his tenure as GM, the Bruins compiled a record of 179-130-39-39.

I don't know much about the Bruins this year.  But maybe this firing will help the Panthers beat them tonight!! HEHEHE

I saw the Bruins play the Panthers a few years ago on Valentines day.  It was cool because a former Red Wing and Grand Rapids native (where I was born) Mike Knubble played for them.  It was also cool because we were 14 rows of the glass.

I saw Mike play again a few weeks ago with the Flyers when they played here in Florida.

Mike Knubble went to school and played for East Kentwood High School.  East Kentwood was always a very good team because they were the only school to have a rink on campus.  If I am not mistaken Mike went on to play for Michigan and win a champioship there.  Then as a young player won the cup with the Wings.

John

Boston is the team I hate the most after the Leafs. But to be objective here, I think the biggest mistake their GM made was to trade their leader Thornton for many "non-leader" players. I would never deal my best player, unless I get the best player of the other team.

Gohabs