Vigneault signs extension with Canucks
Deal good through 2012-2013 season
Last Updated: Thursday, September 24, 2009 | 1:45 PM ET
CBC Sports
Vancouver Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault won the Jack Adams Trophy in 2007. (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)Vancouver Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault signed a three-year extension with the team Thursday, a deal that will keep him with club through the 2012-2013 season.
"This is a significant announcement for our hockey club," said Canucks president and general manager Mike Gillis. "Alain and his staff have done an excellent job leading our team to two division titles in three years. I believe strongly in the partnership between management, coaches and players and we are all committed to building a championship team here in Vancouver."
In three seasons as Canucks bench boss, Vigneault, 48, has built a regular season record of 133-86-27 with a .595 winning percentage, the most successful winning percentage by a Vancouver coach in franchise history.
"This is an exciting day for me and my coaching staff," said Vigneault. "Having the opportunity to work with the Aquilini family, Mike and his staff and our players has been very rewarding. I love working and coaching in this tremendous hockey city and look forward to continuing to build on our previous success."
Vigneault began his NHL coaching career with the Montreal Canadiens where he coached from 1997-2001, becoming the organization's second-youngest coach in club history at the age of 36.
He reached the Eastern Conference semifinals during his first season behind the Canadiens bench and was nominated for the Jack Adams Award following the 1999-2000 season.
Last season, Vigneault collected his 200th win as a head coach in the NHL, 100th win behind the bench of the Vancouver Canucks and appeared in his 500th career game as a head coach.
Vigneault led Vancouver to its sixth Northwest Division title in franchise history and a record of 45-27-10. He joined Vancouver from the club's AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, where he led the team to within one game of the conference finals.
In the 2005-06 season, his first season as head coach with the Moose, Vigneault guided the club to a 44-24-7 record.
Vigneault won the Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year at the 2007 NHL Awards in Toronto.
Vigneault ranks fourth in franchise history for coaching wins and is only the second head coach in club history to win the Jack Adams Award.
