Rutherford to transition out as Canucks President — The Fourth Period
Vancouver Canucks President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford is going to be transitioning to an advisor role with the team after the NHL Draft concludes.
Rutherford, who made the decision known following the NHL Draft Lottery this evening, will also remain as Alternate Governor, but will no longer be involved in the day-to-day operations of the franchise.
The Canucks, led by Rutherford and owners Francesco and Dax Aquilini, have been in search for a new General Manager after relieving Patrik Allvin of his services last month and may also further add to their management staff beyond the GM position.
Around 20 candidates have been interviewed for the GM position in Vancouver and Rutherford confirmed that list has been shrunk down to five.
“I’ve been through this process before. I don’t think [I have] ever interviewed as many people as we did this time, but this has been as good a process as I’ve seen,” Rutherford told reporters this evening. “A lot of interesting people, a lot of interesting ideas (on) how they would approach things. So, it is going to be a tough decision.”
Rutherford was initially hired as Vancouver’s President of Hockey Operations and interim GM in December 2021.
The Canucks, who will draft third-overall in the 2026 NHL Draft, finished the season last in the standings with a 25-49-8 record.
