BOSTON – While Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs wasn’t present for the Wednesday press conference announcing the firing of general manager Peter Chiarelli, the longtime owner of the Black and Gold did weigh in on the front office move. Jacobs called Chiarelli “the best in the business” during comments to the media prior to the season, but said the decision to fire the embattled GM was “the right one” after Boston failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2007.
Jacobs credited the outgoing GM for the job performed over the last nine seasons bringing the organization back from its low points in 2005-06, but that ultimately wasn’t enough to save his job when the roof caved in this year.
"Peter Chiarelli has done a tremendous job for the Boston Bruins over the last nine seasons. During that time I have come to know, and like him, both professionally and personally,” said the elder Jacobs in a press release. “This decision was not an easy one for Cam and Charlie but, ultimately, the right one for this organization. They have my full support in this decision. I know Peter will move on and continue to do great things in the league and I would give him my highest recommendation."
Jacobs stepped down from a front-and-center role with the Bruins and TD Garden when his son, Charlie, was named CEO of the Boston holdings of Delaware North back in early January. Both the younger Jacobs and Bruins President Cam Neely were on hand at TD Garden to announce the firing four days after the Bruins were eliminated from the playoffs in Tampa Bay.