Canucks announce that Dan Cloutier is leaving the organization

After spending the past eight years with the Vancouver Canucks in a coaching/management role, Dan Cloutier is leaving the organization.

The 43-year-old former netminder was hired by the team in 2012 as a Goaltending Consultant in player development. Cloutier took over from Rollie Melanson as the Canucks’ goalie coach in 2016, and was promoted to Director of Goaltending last summer. He had previously stepped down in his position as goalie coach for family reasons, with Ian Clark taking on the day-to-day coaching duties.

Most fans remember Cloutier from his playing days, where he was the Canucks’ No. 1 goalie from 2001 to 2006. He had an injury-plagued end to his pro hockey career, retiring in 2010.

The Cloutier news was one of many changes to the Canucks’ Hockey Operations and Amateur Scouting staff announced today.

“We’re pleased to welcome new personnel to our Hockey Operations staff and acknowledge those who will take on greater roles and responsibilities,” said Canucks GM Jim Benning. “As part of this process, we’ve reconfigured scouting assignments to improve the reporting structure of our Amateur department. We believe these moves complement our Hockey Operations group and will contribute to the overall success of our team.”

Former Canucks winger Chris Higgins officially rejoins the team as Assistant Director, Player Development. The 36-year-old will support Ryan Johnson in his role as Senior Director, Player Development and Utica Comets General Manager.

Former Daily Hive sports writer Ryan Biech, who was hired by the Canucks earlier this summer, will have the job title of Video Analyst, Hockey Analytics, reporting to Senior Director, Hockey Operations and Analytics, Jonathan Wall.

Former Vancouver Giants and Abbotsford Heat Head Coach Troy Ward has joined the organization as an amateur scout, as have Phil Golding and Martin Bakula. Golding comes to the team after two seasons as assistant GM of the Guelph Storm in the OHL. Bakula joins from the Arizona Coyotes, where he spent the past two seasons as a European scout.

Todd Harvey and Derek Richard, who originally joined the team’s staff two years ago, will take on new roles and additional responsibilities as amateur scouts.

Patrik Jonsson, Vincent Montalbano, and Brandon Benning are taking on new assignments on the Amateur Scouting staff, as will Pat Conacher, who spent five seasons as Director of Hockey Operations with the Comets.