Jim Rutherford is a well-known personality in the ice hockey world. He was born on February 17, 1949, in Beeton, Ontario, Canada. He has held various positions in different teams over his extended career, including General Manager and Executive Vice President. Rutherford has overseen multi-million dollar team budgets, made numerous trades, and produced successful campaigns. He won the Stanley Cup twice, once with Carolina Hurricanes in 2006 and the second time with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017.

Jim Rutherford started his professional career as a goaltender, playing for various junior and professional teams. After his brief career in the NHL, he transitioned into a management position before ultimately attaining the Executive Vice President role. During his career, Rutherford has been known for his ability to spot young talent and building teams that competed at the highest level.

Rutherford announced his resignation as the General Manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins in January 2021, after more than six years with the organization. He had previously worked with the Hartford Whalers, Carolina Hurricans, and Toronto Maple Leafs.