Trevor Linden

Date: September 9, 2014

Name: Change Management – Vancouver Canucks

Presenters: Trevor Linden, Jim Benning, and Willie Desjardins

Vancouver Board of Trade invites the current Vancouver Canucks management team to speak about their change management. The management team includes Trevor Linden, the president of Vancouver Canucks of Hockey operations & alternate governor, Jim Benning, the 18th General Manager in Canucks, and Willie Desjardins, the 18^th Head Coach in Vancouver Canucks. They will share their thoughts and strategies on the future plan of Vancouver Canucks organization. This presentation will help business owners to understand the impact of change management.

Vancouver Canucks is honored and has the privilege to bring back Trevor Linden to the management. Linden has over 18 years of deep connection with the team. Due to last disappointing season, Linden is approaching to find the way to win.

Jim Benning is originally from Boston Bruins. He sees the potential of Vancouver Canucks and decides to change the environment. He decides to restructure the current environment to a winning environment. He seeks to bring other players to support the existing core players.

Initial Changes

The management team sees Vancouver Canucks team has people with good character. They will bring young players up with good habits. The existing core players will show impact and inspire young players. The team will remain competitive and restock new players. The current team will support what they have and win with the team.

Willie Desjardins believes the team. He believes the breakdown of Vancouver Canucks team is because of losing. He has confident the team will flourish success in future.

No trade clause contact

Jim thinks the no trade clause contract is a negotiation tool from the players. It will reduce salary cap, but players have full control. They can decide where they want to go. Trevor believes players are attached with the city and believe the effect of no trade clause is meaningless in Vancouver Canucks.

Change in play styles of players

The team will focus on attacking. Willie emphasizes the team has the philosophy of “Think fast, play fast”. He believes each players need to have “Quick decision right place” concept while they are in game.

Players flow under the radar?

There are many hidden players in the league. The main attribute the management team seeks is the player who can buy time with the puck. This will create opportunity for the team to execute the play and create the attention for the fans.

Trevor believes Willie is the guy who has the ability to connect with the players. He can get players to buy what he is selling. Last year, the team lost hope and lost the element of fun in the season. Trevor believes Willie will bring back the fun.

Looking for coach

Jim and Trevor believe the coach needs to have these characteristic traits:

• Respect players
• Treat player well
• Hard working
• Discipline

Willie has all the traits, and in Willies’ view of the organization, he believes Vancouver is an opportunity to become amazing.

Chance in NHL players

The management recommends all new NHL players to clearly understand what they want and where they are heading. Every player will go through good and bad times. If they have commitment, their chances will come.

Players’ view of the new coach

Players need to trust coach. Based on the previous coach that took Vancouver Canucks to the Stanly Cup playoff, respect is important. Players can figure things out and see through coach. Players are determined to prove to the fans and to themselves. Moreover, players want to show to coach, fans and themselves that they can get the job done.

Change the team behind the team

Aside from the hockey team, the management team puts effort to change fans’ experience. While off the ice, the hospitality is important for fans. The management team brings new chef and creates whole new feelings in Roger Arena. The management team believes in order to fully control the fan experience, they decide not to outsource any catering to external companies

Integrating younger talent

The management team will bring players who can play immediately. They believe players with talents should not hide and they should have the opportunity to demonstrate in the team. In addition, the management team will not bring any players who are not ready.

Change management in future Vancouver and making strategic decisions

The management team will do pro and pre scouting. They will only draft players who can win. Their goal is to move up the draft.

The management team will hire company to do their own statistics. The stats will be analyzed pre and post games. The management will implement new analysis to help players perform well.

Future Ticket Sales

The management team believes the negativity is gone. Trevor believes Willie and Jim will help out and provide positive atmosphere on the team. Fans are excited and the players will have fun again.

Vancouver Canucks organization will still focus and help out on community. The impact from players to the community is huge. Vancouver Canucks will continue to support children in British Columba as their number 1 priority outside of the arena. The organization forms “Canucks for Kids Fund” to support kids who are in needs in BC. Vancouver Canucks is sending a clear message to the community that their fans are their support.