Bruins fire general manager Peter Chiarelli, trio of scouts

The Boston Bruins have fired general manager Peter Chiarelli after missing the playoffs for the first time in eight years.

Team president Cam Neely released the following statement:

We are grateful for Peter's service to the Bruins organization over the last nine seasons. His efforts undoubtedly helped the team achieve great success during his tenure and he helped restore the proud tradition of Boston Bruins hockey. 

We ultimately feel that this change is necessary in order to ensure sustainable success for the club both in the short term and the long term. Our search for a new general manager will begin immediately.

Related: Fired Peter Chiarelli deserved a chance to right the Bruins' ship

Chiarelli served as the club's general manager since 2006. Through to the end of 2014-15, the Bruins posted a regular-season record of 386-233-85 under his watch, topping 100 points four times and advancing to the playoffs in seven straight seasons (2008-15).

The Bruins won a Stanley Cup in 2011, returned to the finals in 2013 and won the Presidents' Trophy in 2014. Boston missed the playoffs this season by two points after posting a 41-27-14 record.

Still, the club has decided it's time for a change at the top. For the time being, the assistant general manager, player personnel and coaching staff will all be retained.

A trio of scouts, however, have also been relieved of their duties. Amateur scouts Mike Chiarelli and Denis Leblanc, and European head scout Jukka Holtari, were let go after a combined 23 years of experience with the club.

Neely and club CEO Charlie Jacobs will conduct the search for a new GM. 

Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs said the following in a statement Wednesday:

Peter Chiarelli has done a tremendous job for the Boston Bruins over the last nine seasons. During that time I have come to know, and like him, both professionally and personally. 

This decision was not an easy one for Cam and Charlie but, ultimately, the right one for this organization. They have my full support in this decision. I know Peter will move on and continue to do great things in the league and I would give him my highest recommendation.