The Vancouver Canucks announced today that they hired Émilie Castonguay as the team’s new assistant general manager. Castonguay’s hiring is historic, becoming the first woman to ever hold the position in Canucks history. However, she’s the second woman to hold that position in the NHL. The first was Angela Gorgone, who acted as Assistant General Manager of the Anaheim Ducks in 1996.
Canucks President, Hockey Operations and Interim General Manager Jim Rutherford announced today that Émilie Castonguay has been named Assistant General Manager.
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) January 24, 2022
Castonguay becomes the first female Assistant General Manager in team history.
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Émilie Castonguay Hired As The First Canucks Woman Assistant General Manager
The announcement came from Vancouver’s President, Hockey Operations and interim General Manager Jim Rutherford.
“Émilie has extensive experience, is driven to succeed,” said Rutherford in a team news release. “She will play a lead role in player contracts and negotiation, managing the collective bargaining agreement, and her voice will be heard in all aspects of hockey operations.”
She is the second player agent to be hired for an NHL management role this month. The first was Kent Hughes, who is now General Manager of the Montreal Canadiens. Castonguay, however, was in The Hockey News list of top 20 candidates to become the first woman in a general manager position.
“When Kent Hughes was listed as one of the final candidates for the Montreal Canadiens vacancy, Émilie Castonguay should have been mentioned in the same breath,” the article said.
Castonguay’s Background And Experience With Hockey
Before being hired by the Canucks, Castonguay was representing 2020 first overall draft pick Alexis Lafreniere, and Team Canada captain Marie-Philip Poulin. She also served as Momentum Hockey group’s Director of Legal Affairs and Hockey Operations. Castonguay holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Niagara University, where she played four years of NCAA hockey for Niagara. She also has a law degree from l’Université de Montréal. In addition, Castonguay gained front office experience interning with the Montreal Canadiens general manager Pierre Gauthier while going to University.
“It is an honour to join the Vancouver Canucks and I am grateful to Jim and the Aquilini family for the opportunity,” said Castonguay in the Canucks’ release. “The Canucks have a passionate fanbase and an exciting young team with a bright future. I can’t wait to help build a winning organization that continues to grow and challenges for the championship.”
While they now have an assistant general manager, the Vancouver Canucks are still on the hunt for a person to fill the general manager’s position. The vacancy comes as a result of Jim Benning’s firing in December.
Main photo: Embed from Getty Images
