As Vice President and General Counsel, Chris Gear is responsible for overseeing all legal matters relating to the Canucks business and event operations. This includes negotiation and drafting of sponsorship, broadcast, technology, production, event licensing and other major agreements. It also includes advising the organization on all legal and contractual requirements and coordinating the club’s compliance with NHL rules and governance requirements.

Prior to joining the Canucks, Gear spent five years as Director and Senior Legal Counsel for the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC), where he was responsible for oversight of legal matters for a variety of departments including sponsorship, merchandise licensing, human resources and venue management. He also negotiated and drafted the agreements to develop some signature legacy projects, including the Richmond Olympic Oval and the Vancouver and Whistler Olympic Athletes’ Villages. He even made a last-minute stand-in appearance as Games mascot Quatchi at a civic event. Gear began his legal career at the Vancouver office of the law firm Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP where he worked for six years after graduating from Queen’s University with his Bachelor of Commerce in 1995 and LL.B. in 1998.

A former CIS all-star receiver and team MVP with the Queen’s Golden Gaels football team, Gear’s athletic pursuits are now much more of the “weekend warrior” variety. He plays in recreational basketball and hockey leagues and participates in other sports whenever possible. In addition to the Canucks, he is also an avid follower of the BC Lions, New England Patriots and Phoenix Suns. However, most of his adoration (and free time) is directed toward his two wonderful kids.