Canucks sign GM Jim Benning to a multi-year contract extension

Kaylee Pofahl

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Canucks sign GM Jim Benning to a multi-year contract extension image

Jim Benning is remaining as general manager of the Canucks, despite a roller-coaster first four years with the club.

The team announced a multi-year contract extension with the GM on Wednesday.

During his tenure with the Canucks, the team is 131-138-38 through Tuesday under Benning. Vancouver won 48 games, earned 101 points and was bounced in the first round of the playoff by the Flames in Benning's first season on the job in 2014-15. Last year, the Canucks bottomed out with the worst-record in the NHL, before bouncing back somehwat this season. Currenlty, the Canucks are 22-28-6 with 50 points and out of the playoff picture under first-year coach Travis Green.

"I'm excited about the direction of our team and the depth and talent we continue to build. I believe we are on the right track and I am pleased to continue the work we started four years ago when we set out to build a championship team," Benning said in the press release.

The decision has been received with mixed feeling from media and fans. 

After serving as the Assistant General Manager in Boston for seven seasons, Benning came to Vancouver to take the reigns as an NHL GM for the first time in 2014.

The announcement comes just hours after the team sent out a letter to its season ticket holders addressing the future of the team, specifically over the next few months when Vancouver plans to, "add even more prospects to our pool and build on the positive steps we have seen this year."

THIS STORY WILL BE UPDATED FOLLOWING THE CANUCKS PRESS CONFERENCE THIS AFTERNOON. 

Kaylee Pofahl