Post by Pittsburgh Penguins on Oct 15, 2021 12:30:42 GMT -6
Once the Penguin ownership realized that the fanbase was never going to warm up to a former flyer at the helm, the Lemieux group fired Ron Hextall. That started an intense GM search as the team was also moved into the brand new PFHL which will have an exciting Dispersal draft. As they hammered away with interviews, they kept taking swacks at each other within the leadership group before one last interview. That last one was Matt Swackhammer.
Swackhammer comes to Penguins as a life long fan, Pittsburgh resident since he was 4 and experienced sim-league GM. Starting his career in 2004 with theSCHL (where he still manages the Capitals), he built a sustainable competitive team that has reached the finals multiple times but ultimately has been unable to win the big one. Additionally, he has been part of the leadership group of the WPHL since 2014 while also taking over the expansion Vegas Golden Knights while building that team into a perennial playoff team. Last year, he took on the expansion Beard Penguins and led them to a successful developmental year.
When asked what he was most excited for regarding the league, Swackhammer said “the relationships with fellow GMs. Some of these guys, I’ve been in leagues with for over 10 years. I’ve known Dave Smith personally for almost 20 years. Been in Sim leagues with GM Vince Gibbons and Sean McAndrews for over 10 and in multiple leagues with Josh rose. Many of the GMs I’ve had many laughs with over the past year with Beard. I’m excited to get going.”
Swackhammer comes to Penguins as a life long fan, Pittsburgh resident since he was 4 and experienced sim-league GM. Starting his career in 2004 with theSCHL (where he still manages the Capitals), he built a sustainable competitive team that has reached the finals multiple times but ultimately has been unable to win the big one. Additionally, he has been part of the leadership group of the WPHL since 2014 while also taking over the expansion Vegas Golden Knights while building that team into a perennial playoff team. Last year, he took on the expansion Beard Penguins and led them to a successful developmental year.
When asked what he was most excited for regarding the league, Swackhammer said “the relationships with fellow GMs. Some of these guys, I’ve been in leagues with for over 10 years. I’ve known Dave Smith personally for almost 20 years. Been in Sim leagues with GM Vince Gibbons and Sean McAndrews for over 10 and in multiple leagues with Josh rose. Many of the GMs I’ve had many laughs with over the past year with Beard. I’m excited to get going.”
