Rutherford stepping down as Vancouver Canucks’ president of hockey operations

Vancouver Canucks President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford speaks during the NHL hockey team's end of season news conference, in Vancouver, on Friday, April 17, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Jim Rutherford says he will step down from his role as the Vancouver Canucks’ president of hockey operations.

He says he will move into an adviser role following next month’s NHL entry draft.

The news comes after the team finished the season last in the standings with a 25-49-8 record.

Vancouver fired general manager Patrik Allvin on April 17, the day after the Canucks capped the dismal campaign with a 6-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers.

Rutherford was initially hired as Vancouver’s president of hockey operations and interim general manager on Dec. 9, 2021, four days after then-general manager Jim Benning was fired.

A member of the Hockey Hall of Fame in the builders’ category, Rutherford previously served as GM for the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2014 to 2021, and led the team to back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and ‘17.

He was also Carolina’s general manager for 20 years, and helped the Hurricanes win the Cup in 2006.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 5, 2026.