The Bruins today continued to make sweeping changes through the organization, dismissing long-time assistant GM Jeff Gorton and Daniel Dore, one of the industry’s most respected scouts.

Gorton was among the initial candidates under consideration for the recent GM opening in Phoenix (since filled by Don Maloney). Gorton reported to the Bruins’ Causeway Street office today, according to a source familiar with his dismissal, and left the premises soon after cleaning out his desk.

The 37-year-old Gorton, a former Bridgewater State goaltender, started with the Bruins in 1992 as an intern in the club’s public relations department, and two years later joined the scouting department. When Mike O’Connell was fired in March 2006, he became the interim general manager -— the position he relinquished last June when Peter Chiarelli was hired as GM.

Word of Gorton’s dismissal leaked Tuesday afternoon, but Chiarelli, in three communiques with the Globe, including one early today, denied that Gorton was dismissed.

Chiarelli, reached via cellphone in Hilton Head, S.C. confirmed both dismissals at 1 p.m.

"You are correct," he told a Globe reporter. "Other than that I have no comment.

Chiarelli on Tuesday was attending AHL meetings in Hilton Head -- an assignment that many, if not most, organizations leave to their assistant GMs.

Upon assuming the assistant GM position in March 2006, Gorton was touted by Charlie Jacobs, the club owner’s son, as one of the leading candidates -— if not the favored candidate -— to be named GM.

Gorton during the 2006-’07 season signed a one-year contract extension that will pay him through the 2007-08 season. Typical assistant GM pay throughout the league is in the $175,000-$200,000 range.

Gorton, not immediately available for comment, now will be able to investigate assistant GM openings in both New York (Rangers) and Phoenix.