After the Vancouver Canucks and Assistant Coach Mike Yeo had mutually agreed to part ways, Yeo, 50, is set to pursue a new opportunity “closer to home,” according to The Province’s Patrick Johnston.
Yeo spent the past two seasons with the Canucks, joining Bruce Boudreau’s staff in July 2022. During his time with Vancouver, he was responsible for managing the team’s penalty kill (PK). In the 2022-23 season, the Canucks’ PK unit finished last in the league. However, there was significant improvement in the following season, with the PK ranking 17th overall en route to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This improvement was crucial in the Canucks‘ success in advancing past the Predators in the first round and challenging the Oilers in the second round of the playoffs. 
Despite being offered an extension by the Canucks, Yeo opted to explore other options, as reported by Sportsnet 650’s Satiar Shah. On Thursday morning’s edition of Donnie and Dhali – The Team, Rick Dhaliwal revealed that Travis Green, the new head coach of the Ottawa Senators, interviewed Mike Yeo. Given his Toronto roots, There was speculation that Yeo was also a candidate for a position on Coach Craig Berube’s staff with the Maple Leafs. However, Dhaliwal noted that he hadn’t heard if Yeo to Toronto was ever a serious possibility.
Throughout his time behind the bench, Yeo was well-liked by players and fellow coaches and left the organization on positive terms. He began his NHL coaching career in the 2005-06 season with the Pittsburgh Penguins as an assistant coach. He later took on head coaching roles with three different teams: the Minnesota Wild (2011-2016), St. Louis Blues (2017-2018), and served as interim head coach with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2022. His extensive experience and adaptability have been key assets throughout his career.
The Canucks are now expected to hire a replacement.