Glen Sather is stepping down as the general manager of the New York Rangers and being replaced by long-time assistant Jeff Gorton.

In making the announcement of the front office change on Wednesday, Sather said he would remain as the Rangers president.

Sather also announced that Jim Schoenfeld has been appointed senior vice-president and assistant general manager and general manager of the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL.

Story continues below advertisement

The 71-year-old Sather has been in charge of the Rangers since 2000. The team has made the Eastern Conference finals in three of the past four seasons, reaching the Stanley Cup Finals in 2014, when they lost to the Kings in five games.

Before joining the Rangers, the Hall of Famer guided the Edmonton Oilers to five Stanley Cups, four coaching and one as general manager.