The Vancouver Canucks have hired Jim Rutherford as team president and interim general manager, it was announced Thursday.

Rutherford will lead the search for a permanent GM.

"It is time for a new vision and a new leader who will set a path forward for this team," Canucks chairman Francesco Aquilini said in a statement. "Jim has tremendous experience building and leading winning organizations and I believe he will help build the Vancouver Canucks into a team that can compete for championships again."