“Captain Canuck” Trevor Linden is returning to the team he led for seven years.
The fan favourite has officially been named the president of hockey operations for the Vancouver Canucks.
The widely-rumoured appointment of Number 16 was announced less than a day after longtime general manager Mike Gillis was fired following the team’s elimination from playoff contention.
Linden will now be responsible for all hockey operations, including acquiring and developing players. He played for the team for a total of 16 seasons. He also served as president of the NHL Players' Association for eight years, including the lockout that cancelled the 2005-06 season.
Related: The impressive history of Trevor Linden
“Today is a real honour,” he told reporters during a packed press conference at Rogers Arena. “I always thought I’d be back. I never wanted to work for another organization. This opportunity at my age – I’m 43 – is a great challenge, and I’m really excited for the future.”
The retired NHL player says he understands fans are frustrated by the team’s disappointing year.
“I think anytime a team doesn’t succeed and misses the playoffs people are unhappy – fans are unhappy, players are unhappy,” he said.
Linden says he will sit down with players and coaches next week to fully assess what’s happening with the team.
“I come into this with a fresh set of eyes. I’ve met [head coach] John [Tortorella] for the first time today. I’m looking forward to learning the ins and outs of their day,” he said.
“I want the Stanley Cup.”
A search for a new general manager is already underway, starting from within the organization, he added.
“The critical path is assessing a general manager and looking at the structure of our hockey operations. All of those decisions have to be evaluated,” he said.
Team owner Francesco Aquilini thanked Mike Gillis for his “tireless” years of service to the team, but said it was time for a change.
“We need a new direction, we need a new voice. When Trevor accepted this position he was a perfect fit,” he said. “We have full confidence in him. He’s exemplified perfect judgment in his career on and off the ice.”
Aquilini said Linden is a perfect ambassador for the team and will – hopefully -- inspire disappointed fans to stick with the team as they look to the future.
“This has not been a fun year. This was a very disappointing season. That’s why we’re here with Trevor, to lead our team into the future,” Aquilini said.
Linden says he’s been given full autonomy by the organization, and says he hopes to be with the team “for 20 years.”
“A good relationship with ownership is key,” he said. “Ultimately I’m very comfortable with the autonomy I have.”
Linden is just as well known off the ice as for his days as an NHL player. His philanthropic work through the Trevor Linden Foundation benefits dozens of B.C. organizations. He runs a franchise of gyms with locations across Metro Vancouver and is in the process of launching a new brand of fitness centres called Orange Theory Fitness.
He was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2010.
