Willie canucks
Willie Desjardins is introduced as the Canucks' Head Coach (Screenshot from CanucksTV)

Climax's Willie Desjardins is now an NHL head coach, as he was introduced as the new bench boss for the Vancouver Canucks on Monday.

"I've been looking forward to this opportunity for a long time," Desjardins said at a press conference in Vancouver. "To be part of such a great organization in an NHL city is just a real honour, and I can't say enough about how fortunate I am to get this chance."

Desjardins won two WHL Championships in eight seasons coaching the Medicine Hat Tigers and just last week won a Calder Cup with the AHL's Texas Stars.

He says he's excited to work with a Canucks roster that includes a lot of leadership.

"We have so many great leaders on this team, and to get to be part of that group, I'm looking forward to it," he added. "They've won in the past and they'll win again. They're just a great group and it will be great to get that chance."

Desjardins replaces John Tortorella, who was fired after just one season with the Canucks.