(Newark) The New Jersey Devils have added former Vancouver Canucks head coach Travis Green to their coaching staff led by Lindy Ruff.

Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald confirmed the news Thursday, filling the vacancy left since the departure of Andrew Brunette, who was named head coach of the Nashville Predators last month.

“Travis has extensive coaching experience at the junior level, in the American League and the National Line,” said Ruff, who led the Devils to the second round of the playoffs last season.

“He is very enthusiastic about working with our team and I know his attention to detail will have a positive impact. »

Green, 52, went 133-147-34 at the helm of the Canucks. He took over from Willie Desjardins following the 2016-17 season.

He led the Canucks to the second round of the playoffs in 2020, but was fired and replaced by Bruce Boudreau at the start of the 2021-22 season.

Prior to promotion to the NHL, Green was the head coach of the Canucks, then the Utica Comets, from 2013-14 to 2016-17 in the American League, winning 35 games or more over the four seasons.

Green said he will focus on the Devils’ special teams, especially the power play.

He said he’s excited to work with Luke Hughes, the younger brother of Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes.

Selected in the second round of the 1989 draft, Green scored 193 goals and added 262 assists in 970 regular season games from 1992-93 to 2006-07 in the NHL.

He spent most of his career with the New York Islanders, but also played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Phoenix Coyotes (now Arizona), Boston Bruins and Anaheim Ducks.

He was also Fitzgerald’s teammate on three teams.