Minnesota Wild assistant GM Tom Kurvers passes away at 58

Minnesota Wild assistant general manager Tom Kurvers had died at 58.

The longtime NHL defenceman turned executive was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2019.

A native of Minneapolis, Kurvers was drafted in the seventh round of the 1981 draft by the Montreal Canadiens and appeared in 659 games over an 11 year career. He appeared in games for the Habs, Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders, and Anaheim Mighty Ducks.

He won the Hobey Baker award as the NCAA’s top player in 1983-84.

At the end of his playing career in 1995, he spent one year as an assistant coach with the Phoenix Coyotes before transitioning to scouting roles.

Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.