Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini announces firing of general manager Jim Benning
That's in addition to the dismissal of head coach Travis Green, assistant general manager John Weisbrod, and assistant coach Nolan Baumgartner
The Canucks' housecleaning has extended to the front office.
After fans learned that head coach Travis Green had been fired, the team announced that general manager Jim Benning, assistant general manager John Weisbrod, and assistant coach Nolan Baumgartner have also been "relieved of their duties".
It came after Canucks had posted only eight wins in their first 25 games. At one point this season, they lost nine of 10 games.
"I want to sincerely thank Jim, John, Travis, and Nolan for their passion and dedication to the organization and our community," Canucks' chairman Francesco Aquilini said in a statement. "We are grateful for everything they have done for the Canucks during their tenure, and we wish them nothing but success in the future."
Stan Smyl has been appointed as interim general manager; Ryan Johnson is the new interim assistant general manager; and Scott Walker is a new assistant coach.
"These are difficult decisions, but we believed we would have a competitive group this year," Aquilini said. "As a result, I'm extremely disappointed in how the team has performed so far. I'm making these changes because we want to build a team that competes for championships and it's time for new leadership to help take us there."
He added that Smyl will also be supported by Chris Gear, Daniel and Henrik Sedin, Doug Jarvis, and others.
"Stan has been a very loyal and committed member of our Hockey Operations Senior Management structure for many years and is someone whose experience and leadership we value greatly."
Smyl, 63, played for the Canucks from 1978 to 1991 and was captain for eight years. Known as "the Steamer" in his heyday for his aggressive play, Smyl scored 262 goals and posted 411 assists. His jersey number 12 was retired in 1991 and hangs in the rafters of Rogers Arena.
The ouster of Benning came after fans loudly chanted "Fire Benning" as the team was going down to defeat against the Pittsburgh Penguins on December 4.
Meanwhile, this is how Benning's departure is being greeted over social media.
https://twitter.com/MrBooth07/status/1467729129281712134
https://twitter.com/tatuvirta/status/1467770647749218305
https://twitter.com/onesweetmare/status/1467681487076007936
https://twitter.com/Bish03/status/1467691401219502094
https://twitter.com/LukeSenft/status/1467742266211012608
https://twitter.com/cederholm316/status/1467674578528862212
https://twitter.com/CswcAndy/status/1467688764696772612
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