The Vancouver Canucks have named Willie Desjardins as the teams new head coach.
The team announced the decision on their website.
Desjardins, was the coach of the Texas Stars in the America Hockey League last year, winning the league championship, according to USA Today.
This is his first stint as an NHL head coach; however, he was an assistant coach for the Dallas Stars from 2010-2012. Prior to that he was the coach and general manager of the Medicine Hat Tigers from 2002-2010, a junior team in the Western Hockey League in Canada.
In a statement, new Canucks general manager Jim Benning is very happy they got Desjardins.
“Willie Desjardins has won at every level and we believe he’ll be an excellent fit as we strive to return to the playoffs and build with youth for long-term success,” he said. “Willie is a great teacher, motivator and communicator; his teams have competed with style of play we believe will help us compete in our division and in the playoffs.”
The Canucks cleared house after last season, the first they did not get into the playoffs since 2008. They fired head coach John Tortorella, along with GM Mike Gillis, according to CBC. They brought in former players Trevor Linden and Benning as the new president of the Canucks and general manager, to change the identity of the team.