The Vancouver Canucks have fired general manager and senior vice president Dave Nonis.

“The decision to relieve Dave of his duties was difficult,” said Canucks chairman Francesco Aquilini in a statement on the team’s Web site. “We want to thank Dave for the many contributions he has made helping to build our organization during his tenure. However, I think this important change in leadership is critical to the future of the team and the direction we need to take. It’s not acceptable to our fans or to us as owners that our team isn’t in the playoffs.”

“As owners we made a commitment to deliver the kind of hockey our fans deserve. At the same time, with leadership comes responsibility. So, our search begins today for a new general manager, and our focus going forward is on a winning season in 2008-09.”

News Of Nonis's departure broke earlier on TSN.ca in a report that highlighted both the GM's accomplishments and failures.

During the 2006-07 season, Nonis helped lead the Canucks to a franchise record of 105 points for the season.

Speculation as to whether the Canucks would part ways with Nonis began in March 2008 when the Canucks failed to make the Stanley Cup playoffs for the second time in three years.

Nonis has also been criticized for his role in the team's failure to build a stronger offensive presence before the February 2008 trade deadline expired.

On April 10, the Straight ran a story on the challenges that Nonis and the Canucks faced after failing to make the playoffs.