Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault has contract extended

Alain Vigneault is staying on as head coach of the Vancouver Canucks.

The Canucks have reached a deal with Vigneault on extending his contract, the team announced in a news release today (May 23).

“Alain has established himself as one of the premiere coaches in the National Hockey League,” Canucks president and general manager Mike Gillis said in the release.

Vigneault, who was named head coach of the Canucks in 2006, has recorded the most wins of any coach in the team’s history. Under his leadership, the team finished the last two regular seasons at the top of the league.

“Alain has built a foundation of winning with this franchise and I feel he can continue to build on that foundation to achieve our ultimate goal,” Gillis said.

Vigneault, 51, said he is pleased to be signing the deal.

“I feel fortunate to be able to work with such a dedicated group of management, coaches and players in this great city I love,” Vigneault said in the release.

“I look forward to taking the next step with this franchise in bringing the Stanley Cup to Vancouver,” he said.

The Canucks came within one game of winning the Stanley Cup last year, but failed to advance beyond the first round of the playoffs this year.

The news release did not provide any information about the length of the contract extension or other details of the agreement.