Richard Seeley Takes Abbotsford Job, Adds Vancouver AGM Role
richard seeley is moving into two roles at once with the Vancouver Canucks. He was named general manager of the Abbotsford Canucks and assistant general manager of the Vancouver Canucks, linking the club’s AHL affiliate and NHL team through one executive.
Ryan Johnson on Seeley
Vancouver general manager Ryan Johnson said he had watched Seeley run the Kings’ AHL team in Ontario and had long admired his work. Johnson said, “Rich is someone I have admired and respected for a long time, after watching him run the Kings AHL team in Ontario.”
He also said, “Besides knowing the game of hockey inside and out, he is a great communicator, goes to work every day with an open mind and sets his players up for success by creating an environment that tries to eliminate any excuse that would stop them from making progress.” Johnson added, “Rich understands our values and vision, and I believe his mindset and mentality will fit in nicely with what we are trying to establish with our organization in both Abbotsford and Vancouver.”
Ontario Reign record
Seeley spent the past eight seasons as general manager of the Ontario Reign, a run that included a Pacific Division regular season title last year. Ontario finished with a franchise-best 47-20-3-2 record and 99 points, while setting franchise highs with 47 regular season wins, a.688 winning percentage, 26 home wins and an 11-game point streak.
That track record gives Vancouver a front office figure who has handled a top AHL job and produced results across a full season. The move also puts one executive in position to shape both Abbotsford’s day-to-day hockey operations and the NHL club’s broader structure.
Manchester and the Kings system
Before Ontario, Seeley spent three years as head coach and director of hockey operations of the ECHL’s Manchester Monarchs. He finished 117-73-26 there, qualified for the Kelly Cup Playoffs in all three seasons and reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 2017.
His background goes back further than the bench. He was selected by the LA Kings in the sixth round of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft, appeared in 340 games in the Kings system and served as captain of the AHL’s Manchester Monarchs during the 2003.04 and 2005.06 seasons. He is from Powell River, B.C., and now returns to British Columbia with responsibilities on both sides of the Canucks’ hockey operation.
