Zimmerman quits Canucks

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- Chris Zimmerman said Tuesday he is quitting as president and chief executive officer of the Vancouver Canucks.

General Manager Mike Gillis will add the president's duties but no one was named for the CEO position.

Zimmerman cited family reasons for leaving after three years in the job.

"I have made the very difficult decision to resign my position with Canucks Sports & Entertainment and relocate my family back to the eastern United States," Zimmerman said. "These past three years have been a tremendous personal and professional experience for me and I have loved working and living in the greatest hockey city in the world."

Zimmerman had been president and chief executive officer of Nike Bauer Hockey before joining the Canucks organization.

The Vancouver Sun reported the team also added one-time executive Tod Leiweke, now chief executive officer of the NFL's Seattle Seahawks, to the board of Canucks Sports and Entertainment and will serve as an adviser.

"On behalf of my family and the entire Canucks Sports and Entertainment staff, I would like to thank Chris for his years of leadership with our organization," Canuck owner Francesco Aquilini said in a statement. "Chris's passion for our business, our hockey team and our city will be missed. We wish him and his family the very best in the future."