Vancouver Canucks sign president Jim Rutherford to 3-year extension

Jim Rutherford has a simple answer on how he stays motivated to work in hockey well into his 70s.

"What else am I going to do? This is my 42nd year in the National Hockey League," the Canucks' president of hockey operations said to laughs Friday as he spoke to media about his new three-year contract extension.

Rutherford was named president of hockey operations and interim general manager on Dec. 9, 2021, four days after general manager Jim Benning was fired. Patrik Allvin was hired as general manager on Jan. 26, 2022.

The front office has presided over a major turnaround for the Canucks (30-11-4) who entered Friday first overall in the NHL standings, one point ahead of the Boston Bruins. The Canucks have quickly evolved from playoff outsider to league leader since Rutherford and Allvin have come aboard.

"We've had a good first half [of the season] but it'll be very challenging in the second half," Rutherford said "But I believe our team is going to be up for that challenge."

Rutherford, a 74-year-old native of Beeton, Ont., was general manager for the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2014 to 2021 and led the team to back-to-back championships in 2016 and '17. 

He was also Carolina's GM for 20 years, and saw the Hurricanes win the Cup in 2006.

A former NHL goaltender, Rutherford was named the league's general manager of the year in 2016 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in the builder category in 2019.

Canucks chairman Francesco Aquilini announced Rutherford's extension at a Friday morning press conference.

"We wanted to get this done," Aquilini said. "Jim's record speaks for itself. Three Stanley Cups, the Hall of Fame, definitely his experience and knowledge of the game is second to none in my opinion."

A year ago,