Vancouver Canucks fire president and GM Mike Gillis

As many fans predicted—and hoped for—Mike Gillis has been fired from the Vancouver Canucks. The NHL club announced today (April 8) that Gillis has been relieved of president and general manager duties.

"On behalf of my entire family, I would like to sincerely thank Mike Gillis for his hard work and the many contributions he made on and off the ice during his tenure,” Francesco Aquilini, chairman of Canucks Sports & Entertainment stated in a news release. “The Vancouver Canucks had success under Mike's leadership, and we nearly reached our ultimate goal; but I believe we have reached a point where a change in leadership and new voice is needed.

“I also want to thank our fans for their support for the Vancouver Canucks through a difficult and frustrating season," Aquilini continued. "We haven’t met their expectations or ours. We are committed to bringing the Stanley Cup to Vancouver for our fans and we will continue to do everything possible to reach that goal."

Gillis was hired by the Canucks in 2008, succeeding former general manager Dave Nonis. During Gillis’s tenure, the Vancouver Canucks enjoyed several successful playoff runs but never won a Stanley Cup. On April 7, the Canucks forfeited any chances of entering the playoffs with a 3-0 loss to the Anaheim Ducks. During the home game at Rogers Arena, fans chanted “Fire Gillis”.

While the Canucks have not named Gillis’s successor, TSN hockey reporter Bob McKenzie predicts that former Vancouver captain Trevor Linden may be in the running. For coach John Tortorella, it’s “business as usual” until the end of the season. The Vancouver Canucks will finish their 2013-14 season on Sunday (April 13) against the Calgary Flames.