Following a less-than-stellar season, Vancouver Giants have made a change at the top, with General Manager Hnat Domenichelli stepping down.
Tuesday’s announcement by the team said Domenichelli will remain with the organization in a player personnel capacity.
It comes after the Giants finished the regular season at the bottom of the WHL western conference and out of the playoffs with 25 wins in 68 games.
Giants Majority Owner Ron Toigo called it “a very difficult year for the Giants.”
“I believe the moves he [Domenichelli] made over the past year have improved our team,” Toigo commented.
“We appreciate where things are at and I’m thrilled he will be staying on to help the team get to its next level.”
Domenichelli will assist with the upcoming 2026 WHL Prospects Draft, scheduled for May 6 and 7, as well as the 2026 CHL Import Draft, where the Giants hold three selections.
“After many discussions with Ron over the past few weeks, I feel this is the best path forward for both myself and the organization,” Domenichelli said.
“I’m excited to continue supporting the team in my new role. With the picks we hold in the upcoming WHL Prospects Draft, we are well positioned to build what I believe will become a championship-caliber team.”
“I would also like to thank Ron for allowing me the freedom to explore other opportunities professionally.”
Domenichelli was the fourth 4th General Manager in franchise history, named to his job last summer on the same day Parker Burgess became the 10th head coach in franchise history
He is a dual Swiss/Canadian citizen, and most recently served as the General Manager of HC Lugano in the NLA (Swiss Professional Men’s League) for six seasons. He was also the Assistant General Manager for Team Canada at the Spengler Cup in 2023 and 2024.
As a player, Domenichelli had a decorated career in the Western Hockey League with the Kamloops Blazers, winning back-to-back WHL titles and Memorial Cups in 1994 and 1995, and a Gold Medal with Canada at the 1996 World Juniors.
He was drafted by the Hartford Whalers in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft and would go on to play 263 career NHL games with the Whalers, Calgary Flames, Atlanta Thrashers and Minnesota Wild before heading overseas and playing professionally for 11 seasons in the NLA from 2003-14. Domenichelli also represented Switzerland in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.