Struggling Canucks introduce Bruce Boudreau as new coach amid dismal season
It’s the beginning of a new era in Vancouver.
A day after relieving general manager Jim Benning and head coach Travis Green of their duties, Canucks chairman Francesco Aquilini introduced Bruce Boudreau as the 20th head coach in team history Monday.
“Bruce is a veteran coach, he’s very experienced. His track record speaks for itself,” Aquilini said. “We felt it was the right time, we want to get back to being a competitive team again.”
Boudreau has previously coached the Washington Capitals, Anaheim Ducks and Minnesota Wild.
The 66-year-old has signed a two-year deal that will pay him $2 million this season and $2.5 million next season.
“It’s a great opportunity,” Boudreau said, adding that he's been "dying to get back" into the game since leaving his last role with the Wild.
“When approached, I thought this is perfect – I've always wanted to coach in Canada."
Boudreau, who comes in with a record of 567-302-115, was on the ice running the team’s morning practice Monday.
"You’d like to make it a winning team from here on in, to get the guys happy and the fan base happy again," he said.
After a 8-15-2 start to the season, Acquilini had seen enough. Assistant general manager John Weisbrod and assistant coach Nolan Baumgartner were also dismissed.
“I want to thank Jim, John, Travis and Nolan for all their efforts and hard work, they’re good people,” said Aquilini. “But the status quo was just not acceptable.”
Benning’s reign as GM ends with just two playoff appearances in two years, while Green, who signed a two-year contract extension in May, departs with a record of 133-147-34.
“It’s never easy to see people like that go. I’ve been working with obviously Greener, Baumer and Jim basically since I got here,” said Canucks captain Bo Horvat, who noted he’s already spoken with Boudreau one-on-one.
“Bruce has a lot of positive energy and wants to get the bets out of his players,” Horvat said. “He has a few new ideas and ways he thinks we can improve as a team.”
For the time being, former Canucks captain and longtime management member of the organization Stan Smyl will serve as the interim general manager.
Aquilini said the team will look to hire a permanent GM, but could not provide a timeline on when that would be.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
'A huge difference': These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they're now named Scouting America
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
How Drake and Kendrick Lamar's rap beef escalated within weeks
A long-simmering feud between hip-hop superstars Drake and Kendrick Lamar reached a boiling point in recent days as the pair traded increasingly personal insults on a succession of diss tracks. Here’s a quick overview of what’s behind the ongoing beef.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
NEW For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.
Spanish prosecutors recommend 2nd investigation into Shakira's taxes be thrown out
Spanish state prosecutors recommended Wednesday that an investigating judge shelve a probe into another alleged case of tax fraud by pop star Shakira.