Canucks hire Jim Rutherford as president, will lead GM search

The Vancouver Canucks fired head coach Travis Green and general manager Jim Benning this past Sunday following a lackluster start to the 2021-22 NHL season that currently has the club at 10-15-2. 

Per the NHL's website, Vancouver hired Jim Rutherford as president of hockey operations and interim general manager. Rutherford will be responsible for leading a search for the team's long-term GM. 

"It is an honor to join the Vancouver Canucks and to lead an NHL team in Canada," Rutherford said on Thursday. "I would like to thank [owner] Francesco [Aquilini] and the Aquilini family for the opportunity. The Canucks have an exciting young group of players, and I look forward to building a plan that will take this team to the next level and excite Canucks fans everywhere." 

Rutherford is a three-time Stanley Cup champion as an executive who helped build Pittsburgh squads that won titles in 2016 and 2017 before he surprisingly left the Pens due to unspecified personal reasons in January 2021. He also guided the Carolina Hurricanes to a Stanley Cup championship in 2006 as general manager and president. 

"It is time for a new vision and a new leader who will set a path forward for this team," Aquilini added. "Jim has tremendous experience building and leading winning organizations and I believe he will help build the Vancouver Canucks into a team that can compete for championships again."