Canucks' farm system – for example those playing with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL and Victoria Salmon Kings of the ECHL. He served in that capacity for four years until Mike Gillis took over as Canucks general manager from Dave Nonis after the 2007–08 season. Gillis expanded the Canucks' player development and scouting departments and assigned Smyl the newly created position as Director of Collegiate Scouting. Former NHL player Dave Gagner assumed Smyl's former Director of Player Development role. After one season in that role, Smyl was re-positioned, to his current role as Senior Advisor to Gillis before the 2008–09 season on September 11, 2008. In his duties as Advisor he still partially oversees collegiate scouting. On December 5–9, 2021, Smyl briefly served as interim general manager of the Canucks after the firing of Jim Benning. Personal life Smyl left home at 13 years old to pursue his hockey career in British Columbia. His wife was Jennifer Smyl, who passed away in September 2022. Career statistics Regular season and playoffs International Awards Junior Vancouver Canucks References External links 1958 births Living people Bellingham Blazers players Canadian ice hockey forwards Canadian people of Ukrainian descent Dallas Black Hawks players Ice hockey people from Alberta Manitoba Moose coaches National Hockey League players with retired numbers New Westminster Bruins players People from the County of St. Paul No. 19 Vancouver Canucks captains Vancouver Canucks coaches Vancouver Canucks draft picks Vancouver Canucks executives Vancouver Canucks players Canadian ice hockey coaches