Vancouver Canucks give head coach Travis Green contract extension

Travis Green

 May 21, 2021

Vancouver, BC – Vancouver Canucks General Manager Jim Benning announced today that head coach Travis Green has agreed to terms on a multi-year contract extension.  

“We are excited to have Travis Green continue to lead the Canucks as head coach and move forward from a challenging year to focus on future seasons,” said Benning. Our plan has always been to draft and develop a young core and surround them with supporting players who can help us win. We have some of the best young players in the NHL and I believe Travis is the right coach to help us achieve team success and a return to the playoffs.” 

“Coaching the Vancouver Canucks has been a privilege and I am excited at the opportunity to continue behind the bench with this team,” said Green. “I believe this young team and organization is on the rise. They have shown character, a strong will to win and we expect big things in the years ahead. Thank you to Jim, Francesco and the Aquilini family for the opportunity to continue as the coach of the Vancouver Canucks.” 

Green, 50, was named the 19th Head Coach in Canucks history on April 26, 2017 and has since guided the team to a 125-132-32 record in 289 regular season games. He currently ranks fifth in franchise history in games coached (289) and wins (125). 

In 2019.20, Green led the Canucks to their first postseason berth since 2015, posting a 36-27-6 record before the season pause. The Canucks defeated the Minnesota Wild in four games in the Stanley Cup Qualifiers before dispatching the defending Stanley Cup Champion St. Louis Blues in six games in the Western Conference Quarterfinal. Vancouver ended the 2020 postseason with a 10-7 record, which has Green ranked first in Canucks history for playoff winning percentage (.588%). 

Previously serving as Head Coach of Vancouver’s AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets, Green posted a record of 155-110-39 over four seasons. In 2014.15, his second season behind the bench, he led the Comets to a North Division Championship with the best record in the Western Conference (47-20-9), as well as a trip to the Calder Cup Final. 

Green first began his coaching career as an Assistant Coach and Assistant General Manager of Portland Winterhawks (WHL) in the 2009.10 season. Partway through the 2012.13 season, he was named interim Head Coach of the Winterhawks, guiding the team to a 37-8-2 record, a WHL Championship title and a Memorial Cup Final berth. 

A native of Castlegar, British Columbia, Green was originally selected by the New York Islanders in the second round, 23rd overall in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft. He went on to play 14 seasons in the NHL, recording 455 points (193-262-455) and 764 penalty minutes in 970 games with the New York Islanders, Anaheim Ducks, Phoenix Coyotes, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Boston Bruins. In 56 career playoff games, Green registered 21 points (10-11-21) and 60 penalty minutes. 

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