Jason Botterill

Playing career

Botterill was drafted by the Dallas Stars in the first round with the 20th overall selection of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. Before turning pro, he played four seasons (1993–97) at the University of Michigan, where he helped lead the Wolverines to an NCAA national championship in 1996. He is the only Canadian to ever win a gold medal in three straight World Junior Hockey Championships. In eight seasons as a pro, Botterill played in 481 professional games, including 88 in the National Hockey League with the Dallas Stars, Atlanta Thrashers, Calgary Flames, and Buffalo Sabres. Other stops in his career included the Michigan K-Wings and Orlando Solar Bears of the International Hockey League and the Saint John Flames of the American Hockey League, where he was a member of the 2001 Calder Cup championship team. After serving as the Flames captain in 2001–02, Botterill signed with Buffalo as a free agent.

Botterill's career was abruptly halted when, as a member of the Rochester Americans, he suffered a concussion during a game against the Syracuse Crunch on October 31, 2004. After missing the next 49 games, Botterill announced his retirement from hockey.

Management career

Botterill received his MBA from The Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan in 2007. Following his playing career, he worked with the NHL Offices and the NHL Central Registry and spent the 2006–2007 season as a scout for the Dallas Stars.

On July 17, 2007, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced Botterill's hiring as director of hockey administration. His main responsibilities included monitoring the salary cap and contract research and negotiations, but also worked with salary arbitration and preparation as well as scouting. Botterill was promoted by the Penguins to assistant general manager on May 22, 2009. He replaced Chuck Fletcher, who was named general manager of the Minnesota Wild on the same day. In The Hockey News 2011 edition of the 100 Most Powerful People in ice hockey, Botterill was considered one of the Top 40 under the age of 40. On May 16, 2014, Botterill was named as interim general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins and as a candidate for the full position. On June 6, 2014, Jim Rutherford was named general manager of the Penguins. In his press conference, Rutherford announced that Botterill would be named associate general manager of the Penguins.

On May 11, 2017, the Buffalo Sabres announced that Botterill had been hired as the team's general manager. He was fired by the Sabres on June 16, 2020.

On January 5, 2021, the Seattle Kraken announced that Botterill had been hired as the team's assistant general manager.

On April 22, 2025, the Kraken would promote Botterill to general manager after promoting previous general manager Ron Francis to president of hockey operations.

Personal life

Botterill was born in Edmonton, Alberta, but grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Jason's sister, Jennifer Botterill, enjoyed numerous hockey successes with the Canadian women's team, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2025. His mother, Doreen McCannell, participated in speed skating at the 1964 and 1968 Winter Olympics. His father, Cal Botterill, is a professor at the University of Winnipeg.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Awards and honours

References

References

1. (16 June 2020). "We have relieved Jason Botterill of his duties as General Manager. Senior Vice President of Business Administrati…".
2. Dave Molinari. (October 18, 2009). "Quite The Sister Act. Hockey Has Been Good To Penguins Assistant General Manager Jason Botterill, But Even He Admits He's Not The Most Accomplished In His Family". [[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]].
3. (February 24, 2005). "Amerks' Botterill retires".
4. (2007-07-17). "Fitzgerald, Botterill Hope To Enhance Penguins". [[Pittsburgh Penguins]].
5. The Hockey News, Volume 64, Number 14, January 17, 2011, p.25, Publisher: Caroline Andrews, Transcontinental Media.
6. (May 16, 2014). "Shero Relieved of Duties as Penguins GM - Pittsburgh Penguins". Pittsburgh Penguins.
7. (2017-05-11). "Sabres Hire Botterill as General Manager".
8. (16 June 2020). "We have relieved Jason Botterill of his duties as General Manager. Senior Vice President of Business Administrati…".
9. (2021-01-05). "Seattle Kraken name Jason Botterill as new assistant general manager".
10. (2025-04-22). "Francis becomes Kraken president, Botterill new GM {{!}} Seattle Kraken".
11. (10 November 2025). "The Trailblazer – Jennifer Botterill Inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame {{!}} Seattle Kraken". www.nhl.com.
12. "All-CCHA Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives.
13. "2012-13 CCHA Media Guide". ISSUU.com.