Canucks make Stan Smyl vice president of hockey operations

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Vancouver Canucks president and interim general manager Jim Rutherford continued to fill out his front office Thursday, naming Stan Smyl ice president of hockey operations. The 62-year-old Smyl, a star player for the Canucks from 1978-91, will work closely with Rutherford on all hockey operations matters, including player personnel decisions and internal operations. Smyl has worked in the team’s front office as director of player development and senior advisor to the general manager. He was named the club’s interim general manager when it fired head coach Travis Green, general manager Jim Benning and several other front-office staff earlier this month.