Canucks Make Front-Office Changes: Ryan Johnson Promoted; Additions and Subtractions to Scouting Staff
By Vanessa Jang
6 years agoEarlier in June, Matt Sekeres of TSN 1040 reported that the Vancouver Canucks scouting staff was undergoing a significant overhaul. He reported the names a few weeks ago, and the organization made it official yesterday. That, however, wasn’t the only news of the day. Although the off-season has been quiet, the Canucks made a number of noteworthy moves that deserve attention.
Utica Comets
- Ryan Johnson named General Manager
Despite this move, Johnson will keep his position as Director of Player Development. In his current role, he works closely with prospects and their respective teams. His duties remain unchanged, but he now assumes the added responsibility of leading the day-to-day functions of the Comets’ hockey operations.
- Gary Agnew named Assistant Coach to Trent Cull
Most recently, Agnew was an assistant with Mike Johnson in Pittsburgh before both were relieved of their duties. He did not coach last season, but he has 28 years of combined coaching experience in the NHL, AHL, and OHL.
Scouting Staff
Four scouts are no longer with the Canucks organization: Lucien DeBlois (Quebec), Ken Cook (Ontario), Mike Addessa (Maritimes), and Harold Snepts (Western Canada). Snepts is retiring and will assume the role as a team ambassador. Brett Henning, the son of former Canucks Assistant GM Lorne Henning, has been promoted to Director of Professional Scouting. Henning added former amateur scouts David Volek (Europe) and Brian Chapman (Ontario) to his staff.
As a result of the subtractions, the Canucks have hired four new Amateur Scouts: Todd Harvey, Paul Gallagher, Doug Gasper, and Vincent Montalbano.
- Harvey was previously an assistant coach with the OHL’s Guelph Storm, and he is most likely to scout the Ontario region alongside Dan Palango and Chris MacDonald.
- Gallagher spent the past 13 seasons scouting in the NHL for the St. Louis Blues and Florida Panthers. He is based out of Cole Harbour and will take over the Quebec region for Lucien DeBlois.
- Gasper is leaving his role as Director of Scouting for the WHL’s Moose Jaw Warriors. He will be scouting Western Canada alongside Ron Delorme and Tim Lenardon.
- Montalbano leaves his position as an Amateur Scout with the St. Louis Blues to join the Canucks. He is also the Director of Player Personnel for the USHL’s Tri-City Storm, as well as GM and Head Coach of the Connecticut Jr. Rangers. He will fill Mike Addessa’s void and oversee the Maritime region.
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