Don Waddell steps down as Hurricanes GM; Tulsky named interim GM

Waddell’s contract with the team was already set to expire this year.

Waddell began his tenure with the Hurricanes on July 1, 2014, when he became team president, overseeing the team’s business operations over the last decade. He was named the franchise’s ninth general manager on May 8, 2018, just a couple of months after current Seattle Kraken GM Ron Francis was reassigned to serve as Carolina’s president of hockey operations.

“This morning, I spoke with Tom and informed him that I have come to the decision that now is the time for me to move to the next chapter of my career,” Waddell said in a statement. “I have loved my experiences in the Triangle over the past 10 years, and together with a strong team, on and off the ice, we have accomplished many great victories. I am grateful for the support I have received from so many loyal Caniacs. This organization is in strong, capable hands and well-positioned for the future.”

During Waddell’s tenure as GM, the Hurricanes have won at least one round in the Stanley Cup Playoffs over the past six seasons, advancing to the conference finals in 2019 and 2023.

The Detroit, Michigan native was also the GM of the Atlanta Thrashers for almost the team’s entire history, and was also an assistant GM on the Detroit Red Wings team that won the Stanley Cup in 1998.

Tulsky has been with the Hurricanes as long as Waddell has, and has seen a slow and steady climb up the organization. He came to Raleigh to serve as a consultant in 2014, before becoming an analyst the following year. In 2017, the Philadelphia native was named manager of hockey analytics, receiving a promotion to vice president of hockey management strategy the next year. Tulsky was named assistant general manager in 2020, a role he has held ever since.

Fellow assistant general manager Darren Yorke will continue to serve his current role, while also helping Tulsky with managerial duties.

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported on Thursday night that Waddell had received permission from the Hurricanes to talk with other teams. LeBrun also mentioned the team has already had discussions about a new GM with the possibility of Waddell leaving.