Paul Fenton is a former professional ice hockey player and current executive in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was born on December 22, 1959, in Springfield, Massachusetts, and grew up playing hockey in the area. Fenton played college hockey at Boston University, where he was a standout forward and helped lead the team to two NCAA championships in 1978 and 1979.
After college, Fenton was drafted by the Hartford Whalers in the sixth round of the 1980 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Whalers during the 1983-84 season and played in a total of 411 NHL games over the course of his career. Fenton also played for the New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, Winnipeg Jets, and San Jose Sharks before retiring as a player in 1995.
Following his playing career, Fenton transitioned into coaching and management roles in the NHL. He began as an assistant coach with the Anaheim Ducks in 1998 and later served as an assistant coach with the Nashville Predators from 2003 to 2008. Fenton then moved into a front office role with the Predators, serving as the team's director of player personnel from 2008 to 2018.
In May 2018, Fenton was named the general manager of the Minnesota Wild, a position he held until July 2019. During his tenure with the Wild, Fenton made several significant moves, including trading away fan-favorite forward Nino Niederreiter and signing veteran forward Matt Hendricks. However, Fenton's time in Minnesota was also marked by controversy, as he was criticized for his handling of the team's roster and for reportedly clashing with head coach Bruce Boudreau.
After being fired by the Wild, Fenton returned to the Predators as a special advisor to general manager David Poile. In this role, Fenton will assist with scouting and player evaluation for the Predators.
Throughout his career, Fenton has been known for his keen eye for talent and his ability to identify and develop young players. He has also been praised for his work ethic and his dedication to the game of hockey. While his time as a general manager in Minnesota was short-lived, Fenton's impact on the NHL as a player, coach, and executive has been significant, and he remains a respected figure in the hockey world.
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