Canucks fire general manager Dave Nonis

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – The Vancouver Canucks fired general manager Dave Nonis on Monday after missing the playoffs for the second time in his three seasons in charge.

Nonis is a former UMaine hockey standout who graduated in 1988 after playing four years for the Black Bears, the last two as captain.

Vancouver missed the playoffs in Nonis’ first season in 2005-06, and he responded by firing coach Marc Crawford and changing half the roster. That included trading controversial forward Todd Bertuzzi to Florida in a six-player deal that brought back star goaltender Roberto Luongo.

Nonis then rebuilt the team around Luongo with the emphasis on defense, and the Canucks responded by winning the Northwest Division with a franchise record 105 points last season under new coach Alain Vigneault, who won NHL coach of the year.