The Vancouver Canucks have parted ways with head coach Alain Vigneault and assistants Newell Brown and Rick Bowness.
The team finally confimed the news at 2:30 p.m., hours after it was reported by multiple media sources.
No replacement coach has been named.
Below, is a statement from the team.
ALAIN VIGNEAULT RELIEVED OF COACHING DUTIES
BY VANCOUVER CANUCKS
Vancouver, B.C. – Vancouver Canucks President and General Manager Michael D. Gillis announced today that Alain Vigneault has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the Vancouver Canucks. Associate Coach Rick Bowness and Assistant Coach Newell Brown were also relieved of their duties today. The Canucks finished the 2012.13 regular season with a record of 26-15-7 and won the Northwest Division Championship before losing 4-0 in the Western Conference Quarter-Finals to the San Jose Sharks.
“We have made the very difficult decision to relieve Alain Vigneault, Rick Bowness and Newell Brown of their coaching duties today,” said Canucks President and General Manager, Michael D. Gillis. “Alain, Rick and Newell worked tirelessly to lead this team to great on-ice success. 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.”