Ray Shero has been relieved of his duties as general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins, it was announced today by co-owners Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle.



The search for a new general manager is already underway.



“Ray is a good person who made a positive impact on the Penguins and the Pittsburgh community,” Lemieux and Burkle said in a joint statement. “We thank him for his contributions to our organization, and especially for his key role with our 2009 Stanley Cup championship team. We wish all the best for him and his family.”



The Penguins have advanced past the second round of the playoffs only once since 2009 and earlier this week were ousted in the second round by the New York Rangers.



“We feel it is time to move our franchise in a new direction,” Lemieux and Burkle said. “We share the disappointment of our fans that we have not had success in the playoffs over the past five seasons. We believe that new leadership in the general manager’s office will bring a new approach and new energy, and help us return to championship form.”



Lemieux and Burkle said that one of the first duties of the new general manager will be to evaluate the entire hockey operations department, including the coaching staff.



Assistant general manager Jason Botterill will take over as interim general manager until a new GM is hired. Botterill, who will be a candidate for the GM position, will oversee the Penguins’ scouting staff as it prepares for the NHL draft.



Shero was hired by the Penguins in May, 2006.