Canucks extend coach, fire 2 assistants

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 22 (UPI) -- The Vancouver Canucks announced Thursday they had extended head coach Alain Vigneault's contract by one year, but fired two assistant coaches.

The team's general manager, Mike Gillis said in a release, "Alain has done a very good job in his two years in Vancouver and I am confident that will continue," the Vancouver Sun reported.

The release confirmed assistant coaches Barry Smith and Mike Kelly have been fired.

In 47-year-old Vigneault's two seasons, he led the team to a record of 88-59-17 with a winning percentage of .589.

Vigneault was also awarded the Jack Adams Award as NHL Coach of the Year at the 2007 NHL Awards in Toronto, the report said.