VANCOUVER -- The Vancouver Canucks have named Jim Benning as their new general manager. nfl jerseys china . Benning is the first significant hire made by new Canucks president of hockey operations Trevor Linden, who was handed the franchises reins after the team missed the playoffs for the first time in six years following a disastrous 2013-14 campaign. Benning spent the last eight seasons with the Boston Bruins, including seven as the clubs assistant general manager. A former Canucks defenceman during his playing days, the 51-year-old Benning is the 11th general manager in franchise history -- a post he has never held with an NHL club. "Jim brings a wealth of hockey experience as a builder and talent evaluator that will benefit this team for years to come," said Linden in a statement. "We are aligned on how we want to build this team and Jims level of commitment to building a championship team is exciting. I look forward to re-introducing him to Vancouver on Friday." The Edmonton native replaces Mike Gillis, who was fired as Vancouvers president and general manager a day after the club was eliminated from playoff contention with three games left in the regular season. Bennings first order of business with the Canucks will be to hire a new head coach after Linden axed John Tortorella earlier this month following one tumultuous campaign. Benning will also have to prepare for next months NHL draft and assess a roster that Tortorella accused of being "stale" at his end-of-season press conference. Apart from helping to shape a Bruins team that defeated the Canucks in the 2011 Stanley Cup final, Bennings managerial resume also includes 12 seasons with Buffalo Sabres, with eight of those spent as that clubs director of amateur scouting. Selected sixth overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1981 NHL draft, Benning played nine seasons with Toronto and Vancouver, collecting 52 goals and 191 assists in 610 career games. Cheap Houston Astros Jerseys . Barcelona says Pique tore a muscle in his right leg. The Spain international will miss Spanish league games against Almeria and Valladolid, but should be back for the Champions league match against Manchester City on March 12. Cheap Cincinnati Reds Jerseys . Red Wings coach Ken Holland says hes excited to keep one of the young coaches in hockey. If Mike Babcock does not keep coaching the Red Wings after his contract expires following next season, the Red Wings can potentially promote Blashill to lead their NHL franchise.PORTO, Portugal -- Colombia striker Radamel Falcao is in a race against time to get fit for the World Cup in June after undergoing knee surgery Saturday, with his doctor giving him a better than 50-50 chance of making it. Falcao, known as El Tigre, is Colombias star player, and the hopes the country places on him merited a bedside visit from Colombias president after Falcao awoke from his anesthetic. Juan Manuel Santoss presidential plane made a detour on his way home from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, to check on Falcao at Trindade hospital in downtown Porto, northern Portugal. "Hes in good spirits, hes very optimistic," Santos told reporters outside the hospital. Santos said Colombia, which will face Ivory Coast, Greece and Japan in Group C at the tournament in Brazil, has a strong group of players "but Falcao has become a symbol of the national team." The Portuguese doctor who performed the surgery said it went according to plan. Dr Jose Carlos Noronha said a torn antterior cruciate ligament, which Falcao contracted in his left knee, can often take more than six months to heal. cheap nfl jerseys. However, he wouldnt rule out the possibility of the player recovering in time for Colombias World Cup opener against Greece on June 14. "It went well," Noronha said of the surgery to graft a tendon onto Falcaos knee. "The light at the end of the tunnel isnt small." Every patient recovers at a different pace, he said. "Theres a possibility of him going to the tournament," Noronha said. "Its not out of the question." The 27-year-old Falcao injured his knee playing for Monaco in the French Cup on Wednesday. Inflammation from the original injury had gone down relatively quickly, Noronha said, allowing surgery to go ahead three days later. However, Noronha warned that Falcao "cant rush his recovery." Falcao is set to be released from the hospital on Monday. Noronha said he expected Falcao to continue his recovery in Monaco. cheap nfl jerseys ' ' '