Jim Benning is Vancouver Canucks’ new general manager

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VANCOUVER Canucks President Trevor Linden on Wednesday selected Jim Benning, 51, from Edmonton as the new general manager and will hold a press conference on Friday at Rogers Arena to officially introduce him. Benning was most recently assistant general manager of the Boston Bruins.

The Canucks noted on their website: “Benning’s NHL resume speaks for itself, from his work in helping assemble the 2011 Stanley Cup champion Bruins, including drafting Milan Lucic, Brad Marchand, Tyler Seguin and Dougie Hamilton, to his 10-year success as scout and director of amateur scouting in Buffalo, during which time the Sabres selected Ryan Miller, Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek, among others. All in all, as a member of the Sabres and Bruins, Benning had a combined 47 of 109 players drafted play in the NHL, an impressive success rate of 43 per cent.”

They also pointed out: “Benning was drafted sixth overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1981 NHL Entry Draft and he spent five seasons in Toronto before he and Dan Hodgson were sent to the Canucks in a trade for Rick Lanz in 1986. Benning played 241 games with the Canucks, scoring 15 goals with 55 assists for 70 points and was named the team’s top defenceman in 1987-88.”