VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Harry Neale has officially resigned as coach and general manager of the Vancouver Canucks after leading the team through its worst season in its 15-year NHL history, a team spokesman said Thursday.
'Harry Neale is no longer with us,' Canuck spokesman Fran Bohman said.
Bohman refused to release any further details until a news conference later Thursday.
Neale, who assumed coaching duties last year after firing rookie coach Bill Laforge just 20 games into the regular season, was elevated to the position of general manager in June, 1982, after coaching the team for four years.
The Canucks ended the 1984-85 campaign with a dismal 25-46-9 record, the fourth worst in the league.
During the 1983-84 season, Neale was also forced to take over the coaching duties after firing Roger Neilson, who led the Canucks to the 1982 Stanley Cup final against the New York Islanders.
Speculation has mounted regarding Neale's future since the end of the season when he admitted team president Arthur Griffiths had told him to start looking for another job.
Neale has two years left on a contract estimated at $150,000 per year.
Neale put his Vancouver house up for sale last month.
Griffiths has said the team is looking for a new coach and director of hockey operations.
Among those approached for the job, have been Buffalo Sabres general manager Scotty Bowman, New York Islanders coach Al Arbour, and Winnipeg Jets general manager John Ferguson.
All turned down the Canucks' offers.
