The Vancouver Canucks and Amateur Scouting Director Judd Brackett have mutually agreed to part ways when Brackett’s contract expires on June 30.
In a statement, the Canaucks say no other changes will be made to the team’s amateur scouting staff at this time and that general manager Jim Benning will still be responsible for final draft decisions.
“We are grateful for Judd’s contributions and leadership at an important time for our team,” Benning said in a statement. “Judd earned the respect of his peers and fans alike; we’re proud of what he and our amateur scouting staff have accomplished. Although difficult, we believe this is the right decision for the future of our team. We are confident we have a strong scouting staff and are well positioned for the upcoming NHL Draft.”
Brackett has been amateur scouting director since 2015 and worked in the team’s amateur scouting department for 12 years.
Discussions over Brackett’s future have swirled around the Vancouver market for months with his contract not renewed beyond this season. Benning told media in a conference call Friday the team offered Brackett a two-year contract extension but it was rejected.
“I want to thank the Vancouver Canucks organization, its fans and the city for the past 12 years,” Brackett wrote on Twitter. “I am very grateful for the opportunity to have led the amateur scouting department. I leave proud of the work we did, the collaboration with the department and the replenishment of the prospect pool.
“Unfortunately an agreement on the level of input going forward with regard to staff personnel and process could not be reached.”
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported earlier this month that a split was the most likely outcome.
“Judd Brackett and the Vancouver Canucks clearly are not comfortable with each other,” Friedman said on Sportsnet 650 on May 5. “For whatever reason, the organization is not comfortable with him, and he is not comfortable with them. I think everybody can see that at this point in time.”
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