Vancouver, B.C. – Vancouver Canucks Senior Vice President and General Manager Dave Nonis announced today that the Canucks have added long time scout Ray Payne to Ron Delorme’s Amateur Scouting staff and former Canucks defenceman Lars Lindgren to their Pro Scouting Department.

“We are excited to add the depth of hockey experience that Ray and Lars bring with them to our scouting staffs,” said Dave Nonis. “Both men have been involved in this game for more than 30 years and are a great addition to our group.”

Payne, joins the Canucks after spending the past three seasons as a western Canadian scout for the Washington Capitals. Prior to his time with the Capitals, Payne held the role of Chief Scout for the San Jose Sharks between 1996 and 2004. In this role he conducted cross-over scouting in North America and Europe. His extensive hockey background which spans more than 30 years includes being the Director of Player Personnel for the Canadian Hockey Association, the Eastern Scouting Supervisor for the Sharks, scouting for the Minnesota North Stars and numerous other professional and amateur scouting assignments at all levels of the game of hockey.

Lindgren, has been involved in the game of hockey as a player, coach, scout and consultant for more than 30 years. He joins the Canucks scouting staff after coaching the Swedish National Men’s U18 Team to a bronze medal at the 2007 World Under-18 Championship.

After his playing career which consisted of 394 NHL regular season games with Vancouver and Minnesota, Lindgren has held a number of coaching positions at all levels of play. Lindgren is in his third year as one of 11 hockey consultants for Sweden. His consulting duties include developing and improving hockey in Sweden through a hockey education program.

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