Even though he turns 75 next month, Jim Rutherford doesn't shy away from a challenge and agreed to a contract extension with the Vancouver Canucks on Friday.
The president of the ice hockey department agreed on the terms of a new pact valid for several years, according to the official version. For its part, the broadcaster Sportsnet reported that it would last three years.
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The Canucks hired the former National Hockey League (NHL) goaltender as interim president and general manager in 2021. He then offered the GM position to Patrik Allvin, with whom the relationship still exists. strong.
“What else could I do at this point in my career?” the man who first returned to the NHL in 1994 as owner, president and general manager of the Hartford Whalers asked at a news conference.
Rutherford remained loyal to the franchise until 2015 after moving to North Carolina. As GM, he won the Stanley Cup with the Canes in 2006 and helped the Pittsburgh Penguins win two championships in 2016 and 2017.
A real team
This season the Vancouver organization is celebrating great success. With a record of 30-11-4 and a total of 64 points, they were in first place in the NHL standings heading into tonight's games.
“One of the things I said when I came in was that we have better players than people think,” Rutherford remembers. It happened this season. The players who made an impact are making an even bigger impact this year.”
“We are not there yet, although we have made progress. […] “We are in a good place, but there is still a lot to do,” he assured.
For Rutherford, it's important that Vancouver gets back on the right track. We're already talking about comparisons to the 2010-2011 team that lost to the Boston Bruins in the finals. However, decisions had to be made, including parting ways with head coaches Travis Green and Bruce Boudreau.
“There were a lot of changes made that weren’t fun. People had been there for a long time, but it was necessary. I didn't feel like we had a team, but now we do. The players and coaches are on board. No matter whether you lose or win 5-0, you will be fine because you are a team,” he said happily.
Rutherford worked as a goaltender for the Detroit Red Wings, Penguins, Toronto Maple Leafs and Los Angeles Kings between 1970 and 1983.