The Vancouver Canucks have hired Richard Seeley as the new general manager of their AHL affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks, and as an assistant general manager for the parent club. Seeley, 47, is known for his forward-thinking approach, including having a full-time dietitian on staff with the Ontario Reign.
Background and Career
Seeley, a native of Powell River, British Columbia, spent the past eight seasons as general manager of the Ontario Reign, the Los Angeles Kings' top minor league affiliate and a Pacific Division rival of Abbotsford. Under his leadership, the Reign achieved four seasons with 40 or more wins, including a franchise-record 47-20-3-3 record in 2025-26.
Reign captain Joe Hicketts, a defenseman from Kamloops, praised Seeley's player-first mentality. "Seeles was trying to get the best out of his players," Hicketts said. "He took pride in what he did here and wanting to accomplish as much as he could for the players."
Innovative Staffing
The Reign were one of only two AHL teams to employ a full-time dietitian, Hailey Birch, since September 2024. Hicketts noted that such a role is rare in the AHL, highlighting Seeley's commitment to player development and wellness.
Seeley's hiring fills the dual role previously held by Ryan Johnson, who was promoted to Vancouver's general manager on May 14. The Abbotsford Canucks still need a head coach after Manny Malhotra moved up to coach the NHL club.
Reaction and Impact
Hicketts admitted the move surprised the Reign roster. "We were all shocked. It kind of came out of nowhere from our side," he said. Seeley's signing was not widely rumored before the announcement.
Seeley, a former defenseman, played junior hockey with the Powell River Kings (BCHL), Lethbridge Hurricanes, and Prince Albert Raiders (WHL). He was a sixth-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Kings in 1997 but never played in the NHL, spending 12 seasons in professional hockey, including five in Europe.
The Canucks hope Seeley's outside-the-box thinking will benefit both the farm club and the NHL team as they build for the future.
