Glen Sather Steps Down As Rangers GM

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Another member of the old guard has stepped away from a high-profile front office position.

Glen Sather resigned as the general manager of the Rangers on Wednesday, with assistant Jeff Gorton was named as his replacement.

"I've been thinking about it for the last two or three years," Sather said during an afternoon conference call. "Last year, we had the run at the Stanley Cup. This year, we felt we'd get another shot at it. I think everybody would like to retire as a champion. It didn't happen. We gave it a good shot, but there was a lot of things in our way and it just didn't happen."

Sather said the Rangers will be in good hands with Gorton and new assistant Jim Schoenfeld.

"Jeff has been an integral part of our success since joining the Rangers, and he has earned the respect of colleagues throughout the hockey community," Sather said. "He is well prepared for and extremely deserving of this opportunity."

"Jim has played a pivotal role in several areas during his tenure with the Rangers," Sather said. "He is a valuable member of our staff and he will continue to benefit the organization at both the NHL and AHL levels."

Sather will remain team president, a position he has also held since coming to the Rangers in 2000.

"I just felt it was time to move a bit. The clock ticks for everyone. Managers are getting younger, they're not getting older," Sather said.

During his time in New York, the Rangers qualified for the playoffs nine times and made it to the Stanley Cup Final during the 2013-14 season. In all, Sather's clubs competed in the Eastern Conference finals three times, including this past season.

The Rangers also won the Presidents Trophy, given to the team with the best regular season record, during the 2014-15 season, amassing a club-record 113 points. That accomplishment led to Sather being named a finalist for GM of the Year.

Sather, 71, won four Stanley Cups as the coach and GM of the Wayne Gretzky-led Edmonton Oilers in the 1980s.

Sather's resignation follows the departure of longtime Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello. The legendary executive who was the architect of three Stanley Cup championship teams during his more than 20 years as GM, handed over the duties to Ray Shero on May 4.