Ray Shero, the longtime NHL executive who helped guide the Pittsburgh Penguins to their 2009 Stanley Cup victory, has died at 62. The Minnesota Wild confirmed his death on Wednesday, with General Manager Bill Guerin stating that Shero passed away in Arizona after a brief illness. Details regarding the cause of death remain undisclosed.

Shero’s passing came as a shock to many, including former Penguins head coach Dan Bylsma, who, along with Shero, celebrated that victory on June 12, 2009, when the Penguins defeated the Detroit Red Wings in a thrilling Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final. “Not a day goes by that I don’t think of that night,” Bylsma reflected. However, Bylsma also shared that he wasn’t aware of Shero’s illness until after his death. “Not many people knew how ill he was,” Bylsma added. “Only a couple of family members and a couple of friends. That was it. From what I hear, that’s what Ray wanted.”

The hockey community has responded to Shero’s shocking death with an outpouring of tributes, remembering not only his professional accomplishments but also his character, which deepens the shock of his passing. A man beloved by many, Shero’s warm and inclusive personality had a lasting impact on the people around him, and his death leaves a profound void in the world of hockey.

Ray Shero’s lasting impact on the NHL

Ray Shero’s standout achievement—at least, the one that shows up first on every résumé—was building the team that won the 2009 Stanley Cup. Hired by the Penguins in 2006, he offered the talented team the strategy and direction it needed to thrive at the time. With Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Marc-Andre Fleury, and a handful of veteran reinforcements, he steered that group to its first Cup in nearly two decades!

“Ray Shero was a big part of my early days in Pittsburgh,” Sidney Crosby said, in one of several tributes from players who flourished under Shero’s tenure. “He gave me a lot of opportunity as a young captain and supported me throughout this time. He did so much for our organization and my memories with him are special.”

Before Pittsburgh, Shero helped shape the early years of the Nashville Predators. Later, in New Jersey, he took on the ever-thankless task of rebuilding the Devils. His stint here ended in 2020, not with the usual fanfare but with a silent nod, accepting that the management and owners were perhaps not seeing eye to eye on the path forward for the team. However, much of the team’s current success stems from Shero’s foresight, as he added players like Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, and Jesper Bratt during his tenure.

In the final years of his career, Bill Guerin, now the GM of the Minnesota Wild, brought Ray Shero on board as a senior adviser in 2021, a role he held until his death. His legacy lives on through his sons, Chris and Kyle, who serve as amateur scouts for the Columbus Blue Jackets and Philadelphia Flyers, respectively. His lasting impact on the game, both professionally and personally, continues to resonate in the legacy and memories he leaves behind.