Sexton Named Panthers General Manager

SUNRISE, FL – Florida Panthers president & COO Michael Yormark announced today that Assistant General Manager Randy Sexton has been appointed the club’s new general manager. As per club policy, terms of the agreement will not be disclosed.

“After an extensive search led by Alternate Governor William Torrey it was clear that Randy was the ideal individual to serve as our club’s new general manager,” Yormark said. “Randy possesses all the necessary qualities to be a successful general manager in the National Hockey League and he has done a tremendous job over the past two seasons in shaping our team through the draft, free agency and trades. He has a vast knowledge of our entire organization and we are confident that, along with Head Coach Pete DeBoer, our club is positioned for success.”

“I am extremely honored and grateful to have been named as the club’s new general manager and would like to thank General Partner/CEO Mr. Cohen and Alternate Governor Mr. Torrey for allowing me to have this opportunity,” said Sexton. “Over the past two seasons our club has been successful in re-signing several of our core players to multi-year contracts, while also acquiring numerous high character, hard working free agents who have helped to create our team identity and the framework for success. We have made significant strides over the last two seasons and our fans should be excited about our team, as we begin the 2009-10 season.”

Sexton, 50, has led the Panthers hockey operations efforts since Jacques Martin’s departure on June 10, 2009. In this role, he has overseen all contract negotiations, pro and amateur scouting, player development and all hockey administration matters. Since joining the organization in January 2007, he has been instrumental in re-signing the club’s restricted free agents such as Bryan Allen, Keith Ballard, David Booth, Nathan Horton, Rostislav Olesz and Stephen Weiss – all to long term contracts. Sexton also has played the leading role in acquiring players through trades and free agency such as Scott Clemmensen, Radek Dvorak, Jordan Leopold, Bryan McCabe, Steve Reinprecht, Dennis Seidenberg, Cory Stillman and Tomas Vokoun.

Sexton spent eight years (1988-1996) with the Ottawa Senators organization serving as the club’s president, chief executive officer and general manager. During his tenure the Senators achieved enormous success and profitability in all areas of hockey and business operations and laid the foundation upon which the Senators' future success was built.

Prior to joining the Panthers organization, Sexton spent three years as the Executive Director of Capital Sports Management Inc. (CSMI), a sister company to the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club. While with CSMI, Sexton provided strategic analysis and advice to the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club.

Born in Brockville, Ontario on July 24, 1959, Sexton completed his post-secondary education at St. Lawrence University, playing for the varsity hockey team from 1978-1982. From 1983-1985 he served as an assistant coach with St. Lawrence, while also handling scouting and recruiting responsibilities. He also earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Clarkson University.