The Vancouver Canucks have fired president and general manager Mike Gillis one day after the team was eliminated from post-season contention.

Owner Francesco Aquilini released a statement Tuesday thanking Gillis for his “hard work and the many contributions he made on and off the ice during his tenure.”

“The Vancouver Canucks had success under Mike’s leadership and we nearly reached our ultimate goal, but I believe we have reached a point where a change in leadership and new voice is needed,” Aquilini said.

The move followed months of fan frustration at the Canucks’ miserable season, which inspired a #FireGillis hashtag that has trended repeatedly on Twitter – most recently after Monday night’s game.

Fans were also chanting for Gillis’ firing from the stands as the Canucks suffered a shutout loss to the Anaheim Ducks.

Sports business commentator Tom Mayenknecht said the timing of Gillis’ departure is no coincidence, but has less to do with Monday’s game and everything to do with the season ticket renewal deadline on Wednesday.

“Some kind of message had to come from the franchise to get a lot of season ticket holders over the hump,” Mayenknecht said. “The business of NHL hockey is built around the business of selling season tickets.”

Since the announcement, rumours have circulated about Gillis’ replacement, with much speculation pointing to former Canuck Trevor Linden.

Number 16 is arguably the most popular Canuck in the franchise’s history, and has played coy in the past when asked about a potential return to hockey.

Mayenknecht said the next president has to inspire hope and confidence, something Linden could potentially deliver in spades.

“In the case of Trevor Linden, Markus Naslund, it does remind people of those great days, especially the 1994 Stanley Cup run,” he said.

“On all these rumours, all I can say is where there’s smoke, there’s fire.”

Aquilini has scheduled a press conference for Wednesday morning but it’s not clear whether Gillis’ successor will be named.

Gillis replaced Dave Nonis after the 2007-2008 season and signed a contract extension for the 2011-2012 season.

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With files from The Canadian Press