The Vancouver Canucks have named Travis Green as their new head coach.
The team confirmed Green’s hiring in a release and at a press conference Wednesday morning at Rogers Arena.
Green has spent the past four seasons coaching the Utica Comets, the Canucks’ American Hockey League affiliate in Utica, N.Y.
He grew up in Castlegar, watching and cheering for the Vancouver Canucks, and says he and the fans share the same goal – to build a winning team.
Green is replacing Willie Desjardins, who was fired after three seasons with the Canucks. The last season, the team lost its final eight games in regulation to finish 29th in the NHL’s overall standings with a 30-43-9 record.
Green says he “is ready and prepared for the task at hand.”
Trevor Linden, president of hockey operations for the Canucks, says Green knows how to coach young players and place the bar of accountability in order for them to grow.
“I know for Travis it’s all about the process,” said Linden. “And for Travis that process starts tomorrow. He’s focused on training camp.”
-With files from The Canadian Press