Vancouver (April 23, 2008) – Former Queen's Golden Gaels men's hockey coach Mike Gillis has been hired as the next General Manager of the NHL's Vancouver Canucks. The 49-year old Gillis coached the Gaels for one season in 1985-86.


Prior to joining the Gaels he played 246 games in the NHL with Colorado and Boston scoring 33 goals, added 43 assists and collected 186 penalty minutes. A solid defensive player, Gillis helped the Bruins reach the 1982 semi-finals. He also played with the Ontario Hockey League's Kingston Canadians.

Gillis retired as a player in 1985 and earned his law degree from Queen's University in Kingston, Ont. in 1990. He became a player agent and founded M.D. Gillis and Associates in 1994. That company became part of Assante Sports Management Group in April 2000. Gillis will become the 10th GM in Canuck history.

Note: with files from Kingston Whig Standard and the Canadian Press