Canucks fire GM Mike Gillis

Photo: The Canadian Press

Mike Gillis has been let go as president and general manager of the Vancouver Canucks.

Despite helping the Canucks to four straight Northwest Division titles, Gillis saw the team miss the playoffs this season for the first time in six years after their loss to Anaheim last night.

The Canucks confirmed the news via the team's official Twitter account on Tuesday afternoon stating.

After the heartbreaking Game 7 loss of the Stanley Cup Final in 2011, the Canucks have not been the same.

Photo: Twitter

The 2013 playoff exit led to the firing of head coach Alain Vigneault and the signing of former New York Rangers head coach John Tortorella to a five-year, $10 million deal, despite cries from fans for Gillis to be the one let go.

Gillis has very publicly dealt with the goaltending situation in recent years.

Cory Schneider was named the starting goalie going into the 2012-13 season after the team was unable to trade Roberto Luongo. Schneider was then traded to the New Jersey Devils at the 2013 NHL Draft, putting Luongo back in the starter's role but less than a season later Luongo was sent to Florida prior to this season's Mar. 5 trade deadline, leaving the new kid Eddie Lack as the starting goaltender for the remainder of the season.

Gillis received the General Manager of the Year Award in 2011 after the team set a franchise record with 117 points in the regular season and won the Clarence Campbell Bowl as the Western Conference Champions.

"On behalf of my entire family, I would like to sincerely thank Mike Gillis for his hard work and the many contributions he made on and off the ice during his tenure,” said Francesco Aquilini, Chairman, Canucks Sports & Entertainment. "The Vancouver Canucks had success under Mike's leadership, and we nearly reached our ultimate goal; but I believe we have reached a point where a change in leadership and new voice is needed.”

"I also want to thank our fans for their support for the Vancouver Canucks through a difficult and frustrating season," continued Aquilini. "We haven’t met their expectations or ours. We are committed to bringing the Stanley Cup to Vancouver for our fans and we will continue to do everything possible to reach that goal."

-- With files from TSN.