Canucks hire Flames pro scout Derek Clancey as assistant GM
New Vancouver Canucks president of hockey operations and interim general manager Jim Rutherford hasn't even been in the front office for a week, but he's already making moves to fill out his staff.
Rutherford has hired Calgary Flames pro scout Derek Clancey as assistant general manager, the team announced Wednesday.
"We are building a front office with people with a variety of backgrounds," Rutherford said. "Derek has excellent experience and has played an important role on three Stanley Cup-winning teams. He will be a key member of our leadership team as we create a progressive, collaborative hockey operations group that can support our team and players at all levels."
Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli reported earlier Wednesday that Clancey was on Rutherford's radar to fill one of Vancouver's three potential assistant general manager openings.
Rutherford and Clancey worked together for the Pittsburgh Penguins, winning back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2016 and 2017.
Clancey, who the organization hired in 2007 as a pro scout, spent 15 years in Pittsburgh. As the Penguins' general manager, Rutherford went on to promote Clancey to director of player personnel in 2019.
Rutherford resigned as Pittsburgh's GM in January following a seven-year stint. Clancey left the Penguins shortly afterward, and the Flames hired the 52-year-old Newfoundland native as a pro scout this past summer.
The Canucks still have more roles to fill as Rutherford leads the search for a permanent GM. Once the franchise sorts its executive staff out, the plan is for all three assistant general managers to have their own unique role and background, according to Seravalli. The trio would then report to the GM while working under Rutherford's guidance and mentorship.
Vancouver cleaned house earlier this month, firing head coach Travis Green, assistant coach Nolan Baumgartner, assistant general manager John Weisbrod, and general manager Jim Benning amidst a poor start to the season.
The team seemingly has new life under new head coach Bruce Boudreau, boasting a spotless 5-0-0 record to begin his tenure.
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