The Vancouver Canucks have announced that Bruce Boudreau is returning as the team’s head coach.
There it is.
Bruce Boudreau will return to the #Canucks bench this coming season.
DETAILS | https://t.co/5v2PBuVNYa pic.twitter.com/89sI499mmx
— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) May 13, 2022
Bruce Boudreau Returns To Canucks For At Least One More Year
After the dismissal of head coach Travis Green, Bruce Boudreau was brought in. The Canucks went 8-15-2 under Travis Green and management knew they had to make a change. Enter Bruce Boudreau. Boudreau brought in a system of heavy forechecking and creative offence. Per NHL records, Bruce stepped in for his first game behind the bench on December 6, 2021. In 57 games behind the bench, Boudreau finished with a record of 32-15-10. Unfortunately, the Vancouver Canucks missed the postseason, but the level of play was much better under Boudreau.
Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that Bruce Boudreau would be returning behind the bench for the 2022-2023 season. Allvin saw the improvement in the team under Boudreau and it was a no-brainer decision to keep him in the fold. The excitement led to Allvin saying,
“We are pleased to see Bruce’s commitment to return to the Canucks next season,” said Allvin. “He has done a great job since arriving in Vancouver and we are eager to see the team continue to perform under his leadership as they did during the second half of the season.”
Facts
Bruce Boudreau is the perfect coach for the Canucks. An offensive-minded coach who has the offensive firepower at his disposal. Bruce Boudreau has the pedigree as well worthy of him getting the extension.
Boudreau has coached a lot of hockey at the NHL level. The 67-year-old coached the Washington Capitals (2007-2011), Anaheim Ducks (2011-2016), Minnesota Wild (2016-2020), and Vancouver Canucks (2021-present). Boudreau also won the Jack Adams award for being the best head coach in the league in the 2007-2008 season.
A deserved opportunity has Bruce Boudreau excited to be back behind the bench. Per Canucks Communications, “my desire has always been to come back to coach this team,” said Boudreau. “I love the organization, city, fans, and the players. I’m also grateful for the opportunity provided to me by Jim and Patrik to continue building what we started.”
Closing Notes
The Canucks were not a bad team under Boudreau. According to Stat Muse, the Vancouver Canucks were 18th in goals per game averaging 3.00, 7th in goals-against per game averaging 2.82, and had the 9th best power play across the league averaging 23.5%.
Just to illustrate the offensive elevation under Boudreau, J.T. Miller (99), Quinn Hughes (68), Elias Pettersson (68), and Conor Garland (52) all had career year seasons under Boudreau.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
