Published Jul 27, 2017 at 2:00pm

VANCOUVER The Vancouver Canucks made two moves affecting the Utica Comets on Wednesday, naming Ryan Johnson general manager and Gary Agnew associate coach.

In other moves, the Canucks named Brett Henning director of professional scouting, while Brian Chapman and David Volek joined the professional scouts and four amateur scouts were added to the staff.

Johnson joins director of hockey operations Pat Conacher in the Utica front office.

In this expanded role, Johnson will continue to work closely with prospects in the system and lead the day-to-day functions of hockey operations. He joined the Canucks as a player development consultant in 2013 and became director of player development in 2016.

Johnson also played in 210 games in a Canucks sweater over a 701-game NHL career, totaling 122 points.

Agnew joins newly named head coach Trent Cull behind the Comets bench. He most recently worked as an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins during the 2015-16 season. Agnew has also worked with the Syracuse Crunch as a head coach and was the general manager/head coach of the London Knights and was twice recognized as OHL Coach of the Year.

Henning becomes director of professional scouting after spending seven seasons as a member of the Canucks scouting staff. Henning added Volek and Chapman to his staff, both who were amateur scouts for the Canucks.

Four new amateur scouts were added to the Canucks staff. They are Todd Harvy, Paul Gallagher, Doug Gasper and Vincent Montalbano. Leaving the club were Lucien DeBlois, Ken Cook and Mike Addessa.

Longtime Canucks fan favorite Harold Snepsts retires from the scouting ranks after 12 years, but will remain with the club in an ambassador role.

He played 12 seasons with the Canucks and was recently named to the Ring of Honour in 2011. He tallied 233 points and 2,009 penalty minutes for Vancouver, the Minnesota North Stars, Detroit and St. Louis over the course of his NHL career.

The Comets begin their fifth AHL season on Saturday, Oct. 7 with a road game against the Toronto Marlies.

Read more:

Canucks name GM and associate coach for Comets - Rome Sentinel