James Earl Rutherford (born February 17, 1949) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender and executive.

[2] He then joined the Pittsburgh Penguins as general manager, having been named to that position on June 6, 2014, and resigning on January 27, 2021,[3] citing "personal reasons".

Prior to serving with the Penguins as general manager, Rutherford was the president and general manager, as well as a part-owner of the Carolina Hurricanes – known as the Hartford Whalers until 1997 – having joined the franchise in 1994 and helping build the Hurricanes team that won the Stanley Cup in 2006.

Initially, a friend painted a pair of red wings at the temples of Rutherford's mask without his permission.

[9] On December 9, 2021, Rutherford was named president of hockey operations and interim general manager of the Vancouver Canucks.