Canucks make significant changes to management staff

Vancouver Canucks GM Patrik Alvin and President Jim Rutherford announced some significant promotions and hirings in their Player Development department earlier today.

First up, franchise legends Henrik and Daniel Sedin have both been promoted from their previous GM advisory roles to roles in Player Development where they'll be working with pro level players in both Vancouver and in Abbotsford with the AHL's Abbotsford Canucks. 

Additionally, the team has hired former NHLers Mikael Samuelsson and Mike Komisarek in the same role as the Sedins. 

From the team's official press release announcement:

After spending a season gaining knowledge and experience in the club's Hockey Operations department as Special Advisors to the General Manager, Daniel and Henrik Sedin will transition to new roles within Player Development, working daily on and off the ice with young players in Vancouver and Abbotsford. Joining the club are former NHLers Mikael Samuelsson and Mike Komisarek who will primarily work with Canucks prospects throughout the organization.

Assistant General Manager Cammi Granato will continue to oversee the Player Development department alongside Senior Director, Player Development and Abbotsford Canucks General Manager Ryan Johnson, while Chris Higgins remains in his current position as Assistant Director, Player Development.

"We're pleased to have solidified our Player Development department for next season with the additions of Mikael Samuelsson and Mike Komisarek, as well as Daniel and Henrik Sedin," said Allvin in a prepared statement. "Cammi Granato and Ryan Johnson led an extensive search to find the individuals with the right attributes, winning pedigrees, and who fit the overall strategy of the Vancouver Canucks moving forward."

Needless to say, the Canucks' entire management and coaching staff has been turned over in the past six months since former GM Jim Benning was fired. Under Benning, the team stagnated for nearly a decade and there were reports that Benning and his assistant GM John Weisbrod were both hesitant to allow outside voices and opinions in their management team. Under Alvin and Rutherford though, the team has made nearly a dozen new hires in management to get the team back on track. Whether they're successful or not remains to be seen, but Canucks fans have to feel optimistic about things after years of futility under the Benning Regime.