Canucks hire Rutherford as president of hockey operations, interim GM

The Vancouver Canucks have hired Jim Rutherford as president of hockey operations and interim general manager, the team announced Thursday.

Rutherford's contract is for three years, reports TSN's Pierre LeBrun.

The veteran executive will lead the team's search for a full-time GM.

"It is time for a new vision and a new leader who will set a path forward for this team," Canucks chairman and governor Francesco Aquilini said. "Jim has tremendous experience building and leading winning organizations, and I believe he will help build the Vancouver Canucks into a team that can compete for championships again."

Rutherford comes with a wealth of experience and pedigree. He served as president and GM of the Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes for 20 years, guiding the franchise to its only Stanley Cup in 2006. He won two more Stanley Cups (2016, 2017) as GM of the Pittsburgh Penguins before resigning in January following a seven-year stint.

The 72-year-old was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder in 2019. He won the Jim Gregory GM of the Year Award in 2016.

The Rutherford hire is the latest move in the Canucks' organizational shake-up. The team fired GM Jim Benning and head coach Travis Green on Sunday. Green was replaced behind the bench by veteran bench boss Bruce Boudreau, while Stan Smyl had been filling in as interim GM.