VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 22 (UPI) -- Vancouver Canucks Coach Alain Vigneault and two top assistants were fired Wednesday following a disappointing first-round playoff exit.
Canucks President and General Manager Michael Gillis said Vigneault, Associate Coach Rick Bowness and Assistant Coach Newell Brown were relieved of their duties after winning a Northwest Division championship with a 26-15-7 mark.
The Canucks, however, struggled with a goaltending controversy, injuries and lack of consistency in the latter stages of the regular season before falling to the San Jose Sharks in a 4-0 Western Conference quarterfinals sweep.
"Alain, Rick and Newell worked tirelessly to lead this team to great on-ice success," Gillis said. "I am personally grateful to each of them and their families for their commitment to the Canucks and the city of Vancouver and wish them continued success in future."
Vigneault, 52, compiled a 313-170-57 regular-season record and 33-31 postseason mark after taking over for Marc Crawford in June 2006.
He was named NHL Coach of the Year in 2007 as the Canucks reeled off 49 wins.
