After just one season on the job, Craig MacTavish has stepped down as head coach of Vancouver’s AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves.
“Craig brought a tremendous amount of experience and expertise as Head Coach of the Wolves this past season,” Canucks GM Mike Gillis said. “We were pleased to have him as a member of our organization and wish him continued success in the future.”
MacTavish, 53, led the Wolves to a 42-27-4 record last season and a fourth Midwest Division Championship. Many figured MacT -- a eight-year NHL coaching vet -- would be Alain Vigneault’s replacement with Canucks should the club have made coaching change but, with Vigneault signing a two-year extension in late May, that opportunity didn’t appear to be arising anytime soon.
Update:
As mentioned earlier, it sounds as though MacTavish is indeed going back to Edmonton. Reports suggest he’s joining the Oilers as the Senior VP of Hockey Operations.