Gauthier Is Mighty Ducks New GM

Pierre Gauthier, hired as president of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim last month, will also be general manager of the NHL team, it was announced Thursday.

Jack Ferreira, the only general manager the Mighty Ducks have had since joining the NHL as an expansion franchise in 1993, has been offered a new, unspecified position with the organization.

Gauthier, 45, was assistant general manager to Ferreira from 1993-95 before joining the Ottawa Senators as general manager. Gauthier spent 2½ years in that position before resigning in June and signing a five-year contract with the Mighty Ducks.

"On behalf of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, I want to thank Jack for everything he has done for the franchise," Gauthier said. "This has been a success story from day one, largely due to Jack's leadership and contributions. We sincerely hope he accepts the new position that has been offered to him."

Under the leadership of Ferreira, 54, the Mighty Ducks tied an NHL record for most victories (33) by a first-year team in the 1993-94 season, and advanced to the second round of the playoffs in May 1997.

During Ferreira's five years as general manager, the Mighty Ducks had a 146-188-44 record.

The Ducks are coming off a 26-43-13 season, the worst record during an 82-game season in their history. Paul Kariya, one of the NHL's top players, was limited to 22 games because of a holdout at the start of the season and a concussion that forced him to miss the final 28 games.

Pierre Page was fired as coach in June, and succeeded by Craig Hartsburg on July 21, five days after Gauthier was hired as president.

Ron Wilson coached the Ducks during their first four years. Wilson coached the Washington Capitals to the Stanley Cup finals last season.

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