The following is a press release from the Vancouver Canucks:
Linden Named President of Hockey Ops
Trevor Linden comes home as Vancouver Canucks President of Hockey Operations
Vancouver, BC –- The Vancouver Canucks announced today that Trevor Linden has been named President, Hockey Operations and Alternate Governor, NHL. Linden returns to lead the team that he played on for 16 seasons, including seven as team captain.
In his role, Linden will be responsible for all hockey operations, including the coaching and scouting staffs, player procurement and development, and minor league affiliations and operations.
Since retiring after 19 seasons in the NHL, Linden has resided in Vancouver where he has led a number of successful business ventures ranging from commercial/residential development projects to fitness club chains. He has also remained involved in the community through the Trevor Linden Foundation.
So, what does this mean for the Vancouver Canucks, fresh on the heels of the firing of former President and General Manager Mike Gillis yesterday? On the face of it, everything. Linden is a highly venerated figure in Vancouver and fans have been clamoring for him to be brought back into the organizational fold since his retirement. His presence as a team executive speaks volumes for the direction the organization wants to go, as well as ownership’s attempt to get back into the good graces of the fan base (it’s worth nothing that today is the last day for Canucks fans to renew their season tickets).
However, there are still many questions left to be answered. Linden’s position is a new one within the organization, a position that has become en vogue lately around the NHL, with the most notable comparable being Joe Sakic in Colorado. As such, the team is still without a president (unless Linden somehow encompasses that role), still without a general manager, and there remains questions on whether coach John Tortorella will keep his job. Linden’s appointment is a great step forward for the club to endear themselves to the fans, but there’s still much work to be done between now and the NHL draft, a date by which you would expect the team would want people in those positions. More details on the situation as it develops.
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photo credit: John Biehler via photopin cc
