May 23 (Reuters) - The Vancouver Canucks rewarded head coach
Alain Vigneault with a contract extension on Wednesday after he
led the team to the best record in the National Hockey League
(NHL) in each of the last two seasons.
Vigneault, whose job status was uncertain after the
top-seeded Canucks were eliminated from the first round of the
playoffs in April, has gone 287-155-50 since taking the job
ahead of the 2006-07 season.
"Alain has established himself as one of the premiere
coaches in the National Hockey League," Vancouver General
Manager Mike Gillis said in a statement.
"Alain has built a foundation of winning with this franchise
and I feel he can continue to build on that foundation to
achieve our ultimate goal."
In his six seasons with Vancouver, the NHL's former coach of
the year has led the Canucks to two Presidents' Trophies as the
league's top team, five Northwest Division titles, and five
100-plus point seasons.
Under his guidance, the Canucks have made five playoff
appearances while compiling a playoff record of 33-31.
Last season, they reached the Stanley Cup finals for the
first time since 1994 but lost a tight series to the Boston
Bruins in seven games.
"I look forward to taking the next step with this franchise
in bringing the Stanley Cup to Vancouver," Vigneault said. "I
feel fortunate to be able to work with such a dedicated group of
management, coaches and players in this great city I love."
(Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by