MINNESOTA WILD NAMES CHUCK FLETCHER GENERAL MANAGERMontreal native has helped lead three NHL teams to Stanley Cup finals

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Wild Owner Craig Leipold announced today the hiring of Chuck Fletcher as the Wild’s General Manager. Fletcher, who signed a multi-year contract, most recently served as Assistant General Manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

“Chuck has the qualities I was looking for in a general manager,” Leipold said. “Chuck is organized, well spoken, has a strong scouting background, has worked toward the development of young prospects and has negotiated many NHL contracts. Along with his past experience, Chuck has excellent leadership qualities and management skills that will certainly help him move quickly into this position.”

Fletcher, 42, has been to the Stanley Cup finals in management with three different teams (Florida, Anaheim and Pittsburgh). Since 2006, he worked closely with Penguins General Manager Ray Shero on all hockey-related matters, including scouting, overseeing the development of young prospects and contract negotiations. Fletcher also managed hockey operations for the club’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Under his leadership, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton reached the AHL’s Calder Cup finals in 2007-08, and the division finals in 2008-09.

Fletcher, the son of Hockey Hall of Famer Cliff Fletcher, had extensive NHL management experience before he joined the Penguins in July 2006 – including a four-year stint with the Anaheim Ducks from 2002-06 as Director of Hockey Operations, Assistant General Manager, and Vice President of Amateur Scouting and Player Development.

The Montreal native also spent nine years in the front office of the Florida Panthers from 1993-2002, working seven seasons as Assistant General Manager and one season as Interim General Manager. In 1996, the Panthers advanced to the Stanley Cup finals.

Fletcher graduated from Harvard in 1990 and spent one year as the Sales and Merchandising Coordinator for Hockey Canada and two years as a player representative for Newport Sports Management before making the transition to the front office.

Chuck and his wife, Rhonda, have two children. Fletcher will begin his duties with Minnesota immediately.