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Jack Button
Born 1940
Died 1996
Occupation *Director of the NHL Central Scouting Service 1975–1979
*Secretary & Treasurer of the American Hockey League
Known for Jack Button Award
Title General manager
*Pittsburgh Penguins 1974–75
*Rochester Americans 1959–60
*Amarillo Wranglers 1959–60
Assistant coach
Pittsburgh Penguins 1969–1974
Director of Player Recruitment
*Washington Capitals 1979–83
Director of Player Personnel & Recruitment
*Washington Capitals 1983–92
Director of Player Personnel
*Washington Capitals 1992–96
Children Craig Button, Tod Button

Jack Button (1940–1996) was a professional hockey executive with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League. The Jack Button Award, given to the top prospect for the Washington Capitals, is created in his honor.

NHL clubs[]

He served as an assistant coach while with the Penguins from 1969 until 1974 when he was named as the franchise's second general manager. In Washington, Jack was highly regarded as a scout. He was credited with discovering Peter Bondra, Jim Carey, Sergei Gonchar, Michal Pivonka and Brendan Witt. He was a apart of the Capital franchise from 1979 until his death in 1996. During the 1996–97 season, the Capitals wore a memorial patch for Button which showcased his initials and a bulldog.

Minor league clubs[]

Jack also served as the general manager of the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League during the 1959–60 season, and the Amarillo Wranglers of the Central Hockey League during the 1968–69 season.

League work[]

Button also founded the NHL Central Scouting Bureau and served as its first director from 1975 until 1979. He was also the Secretary and Treasurer of the AHL.

Family[]

Jack is the father of Craig Button a former executive with the Dallas Stars and the Calgary Flames, as well as a current scout with the Toronto Maple Leafs. His other son Tod is the Flames' current director of scouting.

References[]

Preceded by
Jack Riley
General manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins
1974 – 1975
Succeeded by
Wren Blair
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