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Craig MacTavish is back with the Edmonton Oilers in a management role

THE CANADIAN PRESS

The Edmonton Oilers have hired former coach Craig MacTavish to be the team's senior vice-president of hockey operations.

MacTavish, 53, was head coach of the Oilers for eight seasons from 2000 to 2009, including Edmonton's run to the Stanley Cup final in 2006 when it lost in seven games to the Carolina Hurricanes.

The London, Ont., native was fired in 2009 after the Oilers missed the playoffs for a third straight season.

MacTavish spent this past season coaching the Vancouver Canucks' American Hockey League affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, to a 42-27-7 record. Vancouver Canucks president and general manager Mike Gillis announced his resignation Monday.

“Craig brought a tremendous amount of experience and expertise as head coach of the Wolves this past season,” said Gillis. “We were pleased to have him as a member of our organization and wish him continued success in the future.”

The Oilers are currently looking for a new head coach to replace Tom Renney, who was hired as head coach after Pat Quinn's dismissal. The Oilers didn't renew Renney's contract this year.

MacTavish was a hockey analyst for two seasons prior to coaching the Wolves. He also earned a masters degree in business from Queen's during the two years he wasn't coaching a hockey team.