Jim Rutherford's first hockey operations hire in Vancouver seeks new challenge with Maple Leafs
The first person hired by Jim Rutherford when he took over as President of Hockey Operations for the Vancouver Canucks in 2021 has left the organization to take a similar role with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Derek Clancey who joined the Canucks as an assistant general manager 18 months ago has been hired by the Leafs and given the title of AGM, player personnel. Prior to joining the Canucks, Clancey had been a scout for the Calgary Flames under then General Manager Brad Treliving. Now Treliving is the man in charge in Toronto and has hired Clancey to join in him the Leafs front office.
Before his brief spell in Toronto, Clancey spent 14 years in Pittsburgh's front office and was part of three Stanley Cup wins with the Penguins.
Clancey's move on Monday came as a surprise to many in the hockey world and prompted Jim Rutherford to make a statement regarding the departure.
"Derek has been with me since I started in Pittsburgh and is a terrific hockey guy," Rutherford said in a team-issued press release. "This is a situation that works well for both the Canucks and Maple Leafs. We have a lot of good people in our organization and while we won't be adding another Assistant GM at this time, with the addition of Scott Young last year I am very confident in our group and its ability to do the job."
Rutherford's front office in Vancouver now consists of General Manager Patrik Allvin and assistant general managers Cammi Granato and Emilie Castonguay along with Stan Smyl, vice president of hockey operations, and Ryan Johnston, assistant to the general manager and Abbotsford (AHL) General Manager and Scott Young who serves as the organization's Director of Player Personnel.