Paolo Aquilini Steps Away from Canucks Ownership and Team Roles
Paolo Aquilini has officially exited the Vancouver Canucks ownership group and has stepped down from his role as Alternate Governor, as confirmed by a statement provided to Postmedia’s Steve Ewen by the Aquilini Investment Group.
While the Aquilini family is not selling the Vancouver Canucks, the ownership will now continue without Paolo. The statement, citing a private family matter, explained that Paolo has resigned from his team-related roles and is leaving the ownership group. “The remaining owners are deeply committed to the team and the community, and continue to view the franchise as a public trust, not a saleable asset. No further comments will be made,” the statement concluded.
The announcement follows recent speculation—most notably in Nick Kypreos’s Toronto Star column—that the Aquilinis might be considering selling part or all of the franchise. These rumors may have been sparked by internal moves to assess the team’s value, potentially tied to buying out Paolo’s share.
The Aquilini Investment Group, comprised of Luigi Aquilini and his sons Francesco, Roberto, and Paolo, first bought a 50% stake in the Canucks in 2004, acquiring full ownership in 2006. Francesco has remained the most publicly involved figure, overseeing both business and hockey operations.
Paolo had a more community-focused role within the organization. He was president of the Canucks For Kids Fund for over ten years and co-founded the Canucks Autism Network alongside his wife, Clara, inspired by their experiences raising their autistic son, Christian Aquilini. Christian had worked with the team as a dressing room attendant.
It remains unclear when Paolo stepped down from the Canucks For Kids Fund, but the charity is currently headed by Michael Doyle, who took on the role of president of business operations in 2021 and has led the fund since at least the 2022–23 season.
As of April 20, 2025, both Paolo and Christian were still listed on the Canucks’ official website, but recent changes show that neither is currently included. Notably, retired equipment manager Pat O’Neill remains listed.
Ultimately, Paolo has long described his family’s involvement with the Canucks as an act of stewardship rather than ownership. In a previous interview, he emphasized the importance of treating the team as a community asset, with the goal of bringing a Stanley Cup to Vancouver.
