Canucks extend the contract of GM Mike Gillis

[The Q]

Coming down the newswire a short time ago we learned via twitter from Canucks.com (Press Release) that Mike Gillis agrees to contract extension with Canucks Sports & Entertainment.

Here's the Press Release

Canucks Sports & Entertainment announced today that President & General Manager Mike Gillis has agreed to terms on a contract extension.

“This is a significant announcement for our hockey club,” said Francesco Aquilini, Chairman, Canucks Sports & Entertainment. “These past four years have been the most successful in Canucks history. Mike and his management team have done an excellent job to position us for long term success on and off of the ice. We believe Mike’s presence in this organization is important to the long term success of this hockey club and we are confident that we will continue to compete at the highest level under his leadership.”

“I am very pleased to be signing this extension to remain the President & General Manager of the Vancouver Canucks,” said Gillis. “I am proud of the work our entire organization has done these past four years and look forward to continuing to build on our success. We are driven every day to try and win the Stanley Cup and will continue to focus on being a strong organization both on and off of the ice.”

Mike Gillis is the 10th General Manager in the history of the Vancouver Canucks and is completing his fourth season in the club’s front office. As President & General Manager, Gillis has led the Canucks to Northwest Division titles every season since joining the organization and to two Presidents’ Trophies. He also set a franchise record with 117 points in the regular season, and winning the Clarence Campbell Bowl as the Western Conference playoff champions in 2010.11. He received the General Manager of the Year Award at the 2011 NHL Awards.

Gillis is responsible for the overall strategic direction of Canucks Sports & Entertainment working in partnership with Chief Operating Officer, Victor de Bonis. He provides strategic leadership to the Hockey Operations Department, overseeing the Canucks top minor league affiliates, negotiating player contracts and executing viable, long-term strategies for player growth and development. Over the past four seasons Gillis has secured core players on the Canucks roster to long-term deals through the 2012.13 season including Kevin Bieksa, Chris Higgins, Dan Hamhuis, Manny Malhotra, Ryan Kesler, Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin, Roberto Luongo, Alex Burrows and Alex Edler.

Gillis was selected fifth overall by the Colorado Rockies in the 1978 NHL Entry Draft and played 246 games, recording 76 points (33-43-76) with Colorado and Boston before retiring due to injury. A native of Kingston, Ontario, Gillis earned a law degree from Queen’s University, where he later served as a professor of sports law. Prior to joining the Canucks, Gillis enjoyed a successful 15-year career as a NHL player representative.

With all this said one would have to assume that as expected by myself at NWSB that head coach Alain Vigneault will probably be retained as head coach of the Canucks in the 2012/13 season.

Regardless of the Montreal Canadiens vacancy or not, I think Gillis wants AV back, and Gillis has confidence in Vigneault to be the guy to return Vancouver back to a Stanley cup finals level of hockey.

Expect an extension for Vigneault shortly.

[gugster]

Would have waited to see how the team does in next year's playoffs before giving him a contract extension.