Canucks Announce Three-Year Extension For Jim Rutherford

The Vancouver Canucks announced a three-year extension for Jim Rutherford as President of Hockey Operations.

The Vancouver Canucks announced a three-year extension for Jim Rutherford as President of Hockey Operations.

Rutherford has been with the Canucks as the President of Hockey Operations for two seasons prior to this current one. Under Rutherford, the Canucks finished 18th and 22nd in the league standings, but this year they sit in first place with a comfortable Pacific division lead as well. 

Even with the Canucks enjoying their best season during Rutherford's tenure, he feels they shouldn't get complacent and wants to keep their standards high. 

"We're realistic, but our goal is to always aim high," Rutherford said. "When you put a group together, you need them to come together as a team – not as individuals, which our team has done. And now, they've performed well and we're going to get into a stretch of the season where the games get even harder. There are no easy games when you've done as well as we have in the first half. Teams come in and bring their A-game every night. We probably see number one goalies every game we don't get back-up goalies much. But our team has passed every test from the start of training camp to now and now they'll just get new tests as the season progresses." 

Rutherford has been connected to the NHL for a long time. His rookie year was in the 1970-71 season. Rutherford has been working on the business and management side of the game in the NHL since 1994, when he was working as the President and General Manager of the Hartford Whalers. 

Rutherford's goal with the Canucks is to win a Stanley Cup, something Rutherford has accomplished three times. He knows that a lot of sacrifices and big decisions have to be made, and with the Elias Pettersson contract extension still looming, the Andrei Kuzmenko trade discussions, and the choice of giving up young assets to chase a cup, Jim Rutherford will have his hands full. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

The Stats Behind The Game: Canucks 2, Coyotes 1

Canucks Defenseman Quinn Hughes Has Dominated The Pacific Division

"It Felt Great That Vancouver Wanted Me The Way They Did": Canucks Prospect Josh Bloom Breaks Down His Trade To Vancouver and Goal Of Lifting The Memorial Cup

Former Canucks Forward Cody Hodgson Signs PTO In The AHL

Stats and Facts From The Canucks Successful Seven-Game Road Trip