John Thomas Riley (June 14, 1919 – July 13, 2016) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player and executive.
He served in that capacity until 1964 and was president of the AHL until 1966 before accepting a general manager position with one of the National Hockey League's new expansion teams.
Riley decided on Pittsburgh, because of its proximity to his family in Toronto, and was hired by the Penguins' owner Jack McGregor, who also served as the team's president and CEO.
The expansion teams would have to depend mainly on free agents signed by Riley from the Pittsburgh Hornets, who were the defending AHL champions.
Former New York Rangers star Andy Bathgate, who would lead the West Division in scoring at age 34 was selected late in the draft by Jack McGregor.
In their third year, the Penguins placed second in the West Division and beat the Oakland Seals, 4-0, in the first round of the playoffs before losing to St. Louis in six games in the league semifinals.
[1] His death occurred less than a month after the Penguins' franchise, that he had helped build, won its fourth Stanley Cup title.
The Penguins added that the organization was "built on the shoulders of hard-working people like Jack, and the loss hits home as the team’s 50th anniversary is set to be celebrated during the upcoming campaign.