Comets’ Green promoted to lead Canucks

Photo: Bryan W. Peck

Utica Comets head coach Travis Green has been named the new head coach of the National Hockey League’s Vancouver Canucks.

“Travis is a talented head coach who’s played a key role in the development of our young players through four seasons with the Comets,” said Canucks general manager Jim Benning. “He has an intense desire to win and build a team identity that is hardworking, responsible on both ends of the ice and competitive. He has an excellent understanding of where we are as an organization and we’re confident in his ability to help build our team and develop a winning culture. We’re pleased to welcome Travis and his family and truly excited about the future.”

Green spent the last four seasons as head coach of the Canucks’ AHL affiliate in Utica, guiding the Comets to a record of 155-137-12. Utica won a division title in 2014-15 as well as the Western Conference championship, advancing to the Calder Cup Finals.

Green also coached in the 2015 AHL All-Star Classic, which was held at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.

Green, 46, previously served as the assistant general manager and interim head coach of Portland (WHL) in 2012-13. As head coach, he helped Portland to a record of 37-8-2 in the regular season and led the Winterhawks to a league championship before falling in the final game of the Memorial Cup to Halifax.

Prior to serving as interim head coach, Green served as assistant coach and assistant GM for the Winterhawks from 2008 through 2012-13. As assistant coach, Green helped the Winterhawks to a record of 160-99-8-7 and three consecutive league finals appearances, making the playoffs all but one season behind the bench.

The Castlegar, B.C., native played 970 games over 14 seasons in the NHL with the New York Islanders, Anaheim, Phoenix, Toronto and Boston. Originally drafted in 1989, Green also played 164 games over his first three professional seasons in the AHL with the Capital District Islanders.