Kings’ alumnus Ryan Johnson named GM of NHL’s Vancouver Canucks

VANCOUVER, B.C. – The NHL’s Vancouver Canucks announced Thursday that Thunder Bay Kings alumnus Ryan Johnson has been named the club’s 13th general manager in franchise history.

The 49-year-old Thunder Bay product played three seasons for the Kings from 1990-93 in the then peewee, bantam and midget ranks.

Johnson has spent the previous 13 seasons with the Canucks in various capacities, most recently as an Assistant General Manager and General Manager of the Abbotsford Canucks. Under his leadership, Abbotsford compiled a 191-134-19-12 record over five seasons, culminating in a standout 2025 campaign that saw the club capture the Calder Cup for the first time in franchise history.

Prior to being named Assistant General Manager, Johnson served as a Special Assistant to the General Manager from 2022-24, the Director of Player Development and General Manager of the Utica Comets from 2017-21, the Assistant Director of Player Development from 2015-17, and a Player Development Consultant from 2013-15.

He also went on to play 701 career NHL games from 1997 through 2011 with the Canucks, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks.

Another Kings’ alumnus, Billy Pugliese, already serves as an amateur scout for Vancouver.