The Vancouver Canucks announced today they’ve hired Jason Krog to be their new Skills and Skating Coach, both in Vancouver and with the Abbotsford Canucks.

Krog, born in Fernie, British Columbia, played for the Chilliwack Chiefs before attending the University of New Hampshire. He spent four years there, winning the Hobey Baker from 1998 to 1999, and then got his shot at playing in the NHL by signing as an undrafted free agent with the New York Islanders.

Despite signing with the Islanders, Krog played just two NHL games with the club before moving on to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, where he got his real shot. Krog played 147 games in his two seasons with Anaheim, totalling 43 points. But after the 2004-2005 lockout season, Krog played just 27 NHL games. It was the AHL where Krog turned into a star.

Krog played for the Chicago Wolves in the 2007-2008 season, helping them win the Calder Cup with 112 points in 80 games of the regular season and 36 points in their 24-game playoff run.

He carried over his success in the 2008-2009 season, finishing third across the entire AHL in points with 30 goals and 86 points in 74 games with the Manitoba Moose. His efforts earned him the AHL MVP this season, and he was rewarded with four games up with the big club, where he scored his last NHL goal of his career.

Since then, Krog has spent time coaching his son at the Burnaby Winter Club and leading the Canucks’ on-ice workouts at 8 Rinks in Burnaby for players that arrive early to prepare for the season.

Krog replaces Yogi Švejkovský, who was named the club’s Assistant coach last week after the Canucks and former assistant coach Mike Yeo couldn’t reach an agreement on a deal.