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Mike Gillis

Mike Gillis is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, player agent, and hockey executive.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Mike Gillis is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, player agent, and hockey executive. He is best known for serving as president and general manager of the Vancouver Canucks from 2008 to 2014, overseeing the team's most successful regular-season era. After leaving the Canucks, he has remained involved in hockey and related advisory roles.

Early life and playing career

Born in Sudbury, Ontario, Gillis played junior hockey with the Kingston Canadians before being drafted into the NHL. He was selected 5th overall in the 1978 NHL Draft by the Colorado Rockies. His professional playing career ran from 1978 to 1984, during which he played 246 NHL games for the Colorado Rockies and Boston Bruins. His playing career ended early because of injuries.

Post-playing career

After his playing career, Gillis earned a law degree from Queen's University and worked as a player agent representing NHL players. He became a prominent NHL agent before moving into hockey management and executive roles.

Vancouver Canucks

Gillis was named president and general manager of the Vancouver Canucks in April 2008. Under his leadership, the team posted strong regular seasons, winning back-to-back Presidents' Trophies in 2011 and 2012. The Canucks reached the 2011 Stanley Cup Final during his tenure. He was dismissed by the Canucks in 2014.

Later career

After leaving the Canucks, Gillis remained active in hockey, including roles and projects in Europe and advisory work. Recent sources describe him as involved with Genève-Servette HC and other hockey-related consulting or board-level roles, rather than holding an NHL general manager position.

Key facts

  • Mike Gillis was selected 5th overall in the 1978 NHL Draft and played 246 NHL games for the Colorado Rockies and Boston Bruins.
  • He earned a law degree from Queen's University and became a prominent NHL player agent before managing the Vancouver Canucks.
  • As president and general manager of the Vancouver Canucks (2008–2014), he led the team to back-to-back Presidents' Trophies and a 2011 Stanley Cup Final appearance.
  • After leaving the Canucks, Gillis continued in hockey-related advisory roles, including involvement with Genève-Servette HC.
  • He is a notable Canadian hockey figure from Sudbury, Ontario, and one of the best-known former executives in Vancouver Canucks history.
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Canadian context

He is a notable Canadian hockey figure from Sudbury, Ontario, and one of the best-known former executives in Vancouver Canucks history.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Mike Gillis?
Mike Gillis is a Canadian former NHL player, player agent, and hockey executive best known as the former president and general manager of the Vancouver Canucks.
What did Mike Gillis do?
He played in the NHL, became a player agent after earning a law degree, and later ran the Vancouver Canucks as president and general manager from 2008 to 2014.
Mike Gillis Canucks
Gillis led the Vancouver Canucks from 2008 to 2014, overseeing two Presidents' Trophy seasons and the team's 2011 Stanley Cup Final appearance.
Mike Gillis hockey
In hockey, Gillis was both a former NHL player and a front-office executive. He played for the Colorado Rockies and Boston Bruins, then moved into management and advisory roles.
Where is Mike Gillis now?
Recent sources place him in hockey-related consulting, board, or advisory work, including involvement with Genève-Servette HC and other projects, rather than an NHL GM role.
Mike Gillis GM
He served as general manager of the Vancouver Canucks from 2008 to 2014 and was widely regarded as a progressive, analytics-minded NHL executive.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Gillis
    Supports: Full name, birth date and place, and Canucks executive role.
  2. BC Hockey — https://cdn-ca.aglty.io/bc-hockey/board-of-directors/Gillis%20bio%20for%20release%202.pdf
    Supports: Playing career, draft position, law degree, player-agent career, Canucks tenure, and post-Canucks activity.
  3. Elite Prospects — https://www.eliteprospects.com/staff/420/mike-gillis
    Supports: Canucks general manager dates and later Genève-Servette HC role.
  4. Hockey-Reference — https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/g/gillimi01.html
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, NHL playing career totals, and teams.
  5. Wikipedia (German) — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Gillis
    Supports: Canucks presidency and Geneva-Servette HC board involvement.
  6. The Score — https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/1800457
    Supports: Post-Canucks interests, analytics focus, and later hockey involvement.
  7. CanucksArmy — https://canucksarmy.com/news/former-vancouver-canucks-gm-mike-gillis-attempting-purchase-hockey-team-switzerland
    Supports: Recent hockey-related activity and lack of an NHL front-office job.
  8. The Athletic — https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1570178/2020/01/30/qa-with-former-canucks-gm-mike-gillis-there-are-a-couple-of-things-i-would-have-done-entirely-differently/
    Supports: Retrospective on his Canucks tenure and post-Canucks perspective.