Cam Neely will reportedly be named President of the Bruins

by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Jun 15, 2010 6:52 PM EDT

Several media outlets in town including WEEI and The Boston Globe are reporting that Cam Neely will be named to the position of President of the Boston Bruins. The Bruins have issued a press release to announce that a press conference has been scheduled at TD Garden at 2:00 PM Wednesday to make "a major announcement".

Neely has been a member of the Bruins' front office for the past 3 seasons and currently holds the title of Vice President. The position of President has been vacant since 2006, when Harry Sinden's title and role were diminished to "Senior Advisor to the Owner" after 17 seasons as the club's President.

Many fans have long wondered what role Neely currently plays in the team's operations. Some have implied that Neely's influence on player personnel decisions is minimal and view him as little more than a goodwill ambassador for the club. Fans may wonder if this promotion will really give Neely a larger role in the organization or if it is simply a figure head position and a publicity stunt for a organization that desperately needs to some good press. If it is just a publicity stunt, then they could have pick a better time than the day after the Celtics potentially clinch the NBA Championship to make this announcement.

If this is in fact a real change in the leadership of the Boston Bruins, Jeremy Jacobs needs to send Harry Sinden packing. I realize all Sinden has done for the Bruins and the league, but it is time to move on. Sinden has a very limited role now as "Senior Advisor to the Owner", but if Neely wants this to be his team, he can't have the last President wandering around the halls and breathing down his neck. The dismissal of Sinden will also send the message to the fans that this team really wants to break away from the old leadership on Causeway Street and start fresh.

Congratulations to Cam Neely on the promotion. I hope this means positives things for the Bruins in the coming years.

Poll

What do you think of Cam Neely's promotion? Real Change in Leadership on Causeway St. or Publicity Stunt?

Real Change in Leadership on Causeway St.

82 votes

Publicity Stunt

74 votes

156 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Can I choose "somewhere in between"?

I don’t think Neely’s promotion is going to represent him suddenly becoming the architect of the team, but I do think having him in a true executive role is going to be a real positive going forward, and will lead to changes down the line. By the same token, I don’t think this is a real publicity stunt, but it would be foolish to not think that there is some implication of PR goodwill here after the playoff disaster.

by Arenacale on Jun 15, 2010 6:58 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Very well said. I think you are right on there.

Stanley Cup of Chowder: A Hearty Helping of Hockey in The Hub

by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Jun 15, 2010 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Joe Haggerty was the first one on this story http://www.csnne.com/06/15/10/Sources-Bruins-to-name-Neely-president/v1_landing_bruins.html?blockID=254121&feedID=3944

Stanley Cup of Chowder: A Hearty Helping of Hockey in The Hub

by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Jun 15, 2010 8:12 PM EDT reply actions

I think its great and seems to remove any doubt that he can and will be able to make some calls on everything from personnell to ticket prices. He’s a great figurehead for the team and isn’t afraid to talk to the media. I can’t see him being a fake-PR-president that gets rolled out just sell some tickets. He wants his name on the cup and that might be a good thing.

by SkateHitShoot on Jun 15, 2010 8:26 PM EDT reply actions