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Glen Hanlon takes post as GM of Langley-based Giants

A man well known in Vancouver hockey circles as both a player and coach has returned to the Giants fold.
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Former Vancouver Canucks goaltender Glen Hanlon

The Western Hockey League’s Vancouver Giants’ search for a general manager is over.

The Giants – who call the Langley Events Centre home – have named Glen Hanlon as the second GM in franchise history during a press conference on May 19.

“Glen has a vast network in the hockey industry, and his experience will be a huge benefit to the Giants,” said Giants majority owner Ron Toigo. “He’s someone who we all know and have worked with in the past, and we’re very excited to work together going forward.”

Hanlon has extensive hockey experience, serving as head coach of the Washington Capitals from 2003 to ’07.

He was also an assistant coach with the Vancouver Canucks, head coach of the Belarusian and Swiss national teams, and an assistant coach with the Giants from 2011 to ’13.

“It feels good to be back with the Giants and involved with the Vancouver hockey community,” said Hanlon. “I look forward to positive organizational changes, and I’m embracing the challenges that we face to position ourselves with the top teams.”

In his playing days, Hanlon spent three seasons with the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings from 1974 to ’77, earning WHL Goaltender of the Year honours in his final season while posting an impressive 49 wins in 65 games, which still stands as a WHL record.

Selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the third round of the 1977 NHL Amateur Draft, Hanlon played in 477 NHL games with Vancouver, St. Louis, New York, and Detroit.