Photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey

Lumberjacks hire Ryan Bennett to be team’s new general manager

By @MichaelCaples –

The Muskegon Lumberjacks’ general manager position wasn’t vacant for long.

One day after John Vanbiesbrouck took a job with USA Hockey, the Lumberjacks have announced the hiring of Ryan Bennett as the team’s new GM.

Bennett was the Chicago Steel’s general manager for the past three seasons; he led the Steel to a 2017 USHL championship.

“We are thrilled to have met and hired Ryan Bennett,” said owner Dan Israel in a statement. “He’s coming to Muskegon to help us toward our goal, which is to build the world’s best junior hockey organization on and off ice.”

“I’m confident Ryan will make an immediate and long-term impact toward accomplishing this goal. While we are happy for John Vanbiesbrouck and his new job, we are just as excited to bring Bennett on board.”

Bennett resigned from his position with the Steel in April.

In the press release from the team, Bennett, a native of Glen Falls, N.Y., said he likes what he has to work with in Muskegon.

“We can be very successful in Muskegon, Beezer has done great job building the foundation here. We want to put a team together that can win. We have a very good foundation, and just have to figure out what we need and what we don’t. I have to figure out coach Hamilton’s type of player and what he needs to win.”

“There are a lot of good players, no need for big changes,” said Bennett. “We have the personnel win this year. Beezer is very happy with what he has brought in, we just need to fine-tune them and continue to build a winning culture.”