Dave Nonis served as GM of the Vancouver Canucks from 2004-2007. (Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)

Brian Burke is turning to a familiar hand to help in his new job running the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Burke, who was named president and general manager a week ago, has hired Dave Nonis as the Leafs' new senior vice-president of hockey operations, the club announced Saturday.

Nonis, 42, held the same title under Burke with the Vancouver Canucks before replacing him as GM in 2004. After being fired last April when the Canucks failed to make the playoffs, Nonis joined Burke in Anaheim as a senior adviser on hockey operations for the Ducks.

Nonis told Elliotte Friedman of Hockey Night in Canada that despite the similar career paths, they have healthy debates.

"We do think a lot alike in terms of how a team should be built and how a team should play, but I don't think any successful organization has a group of people that are the same personality and the exact same thought process," said Nonis. "There have been instances over the years where we haven't seen eye-to-eye but it's turned out."

"We have the ability to throw a lot of things off of each other and then generally come out in the same spot," he added.

Nonis has also worked for the NHL as its manager of hockey operations. He helped craft the 1994 collective bargaining agreement and worked with the league's arbitration team, assisting clubs in preparing for arbitration, researching salaries and interpreting contract language.

"David Nonis brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our hockey staff," Burke said. "We have successfully worked together in the past, and he has a deep understanding of contractual, legal and financial matters, as well as scouting and roster management. He'll be an asset to our organization in several areas."

Nonis said he welcomed the challenges that are ahead for the Leafs.

"We need to improve our reserve list, we need to improve the depth in our organization," he said. "This organization has the resources to do it and I think if we're patient and we have, I use the word 'nerve' … to do the right things and take our time, there's no reason why we can't be very successful here."

With files from the Canadian Press