GIL STEIN, president of the National Hockey League last season, announced his resignation yesterday from his consulting role. Stein, who started with the league as a lawyer in 1977, succeeded JOHN ZIEGLER as president in 1992 when Ziegler was told to resign after a players strike that threatened to disrupt the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Stein campaigned hard last season for the newly established office of commissioner, but the job was given to GARY BETTMAN, who took command Feb. 1. Bettman recently hired BRIAN BURKE as a senior vice president and director of hockey operations.
Stein was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame on March 30, but withdrew his name from consideration after the league hired outside counsel to investigate allegations surrounding Stein's election.
"Stein improperly manipulated the process of nomination and election to the Hall to assure his election," the report concluded last month.
Bettman, in a prepared statement, said of Stein, "On both a personal and professional level, he will be missed by the N.H.L."