VANCOUVER, British Columbia – The Vancouver Canucks introduced David Nonis as the team’s general manager Thursday, just three days after announcing predecessor Brian Burke’s contract would not be renewed.

Nonis, a former University of Maine defenseman and two-year captain, interviewed to be Calgary’s general manager in 2001, and was in the running for the same position in San Jose last summer.

Nonis spent the last six seasons as the Canucks’ assistant GM. He was also the NHL’s manager of hockey operations for four seasons.

“I’d like to thank Brian Burke for the opportunity he gave me and the friendship he showed me,” an emotional Nonis said at a news conference. “Without that I wouldn’t be here today.”

Nonis, who turns 38 on May 25, is the youngest general manager in franchise history. His first move was to promote Steve Tambellini from vice president of player personnel to assistant general manager.