Vancouver’s NHL franchise has long been linked to one family that exercises full authority over team operations.
Recent legal disclosures and internal changes clarified how control is structured and who ultimately makes decisions.
Ownership appears straightforward on the surface, yet internal arrangements reveal a more layered setup.
Let’s check it out.
Aquilini Family Background
In 2004, Luigi Aquilini and his sons, Francesco, Roberto, and Paolo, entered NHL ownership by acquiring a significant stake in the Vancouver Canucks.
Acquisition aligned with a broader commercial strategy built around long-term asset control and vertical integration across multiple industries.
Professional hockey represented a high-profile asset that complemented existing business holdings rather than functioning as an isolated investment.
Family business interests operate through Aquilini Investment Group, a privately held organization designed to centralize oversight, financing, and executive control.
Structure allowed capital, leadership experience, and operational systems to move efficiently across business lines. Stability created outside of hockey helped absorb market fluctuations tied to professional sports.
- Large-scale real estate projects concentrated in British Columbia, with residential and mixed-use developments
- Hospitality holdings that include hotels, restaurants, and food service brands connected to regional and international markets
- Agricultural investments focused on berry farming and food production with export reach
Hockey operates as one division within this broader enterprise, supported by managerial practices refined through real estate development, agriculture, and hospitality operations.
Structure of Ownership
Aquilini Investment Group functions as the central holding entity tied to the Canucks and all major family-controlled ventures.
Public ownership perception historically centered on the Aquilini sons, yet internal authority did not always reflect that view.
Prior to 2015, Luigi Aquilini remained influential but lacked direct operational control over hockey decisions.
Control shifted after a restructuring of the Elisa Trust, an internal legal framework governing ownership rights and authority. Adjustment left public ownership labels unchanged while substantially altering how decisions were made internally.
- Luigi Aquilini secured final authority over franchise governance
- Strategic planning no longer depended on unanimous agreement among family partners
- Centralized oversight replaced a shared leadership approach
Decision-making became concentrated under Luigi, aligning business priorities and hockey operations under a single controlling figure.
Recent Changes in the Ownership Group
In 2024, Paolo Aquilini formally departed Aquilini Investment Group and stepped down as Alternate Governor of the Vancouver Canucks.
Exit did not involve asset sales or ownership dilution, signaling a governance change rather than a financial one. Reporting connected to the move pointed toward internal restructuring and reassessment of roles within the family organization.
Leadership responsibilities now sit with a smaller group.
@sekeresandprice Could the #Canucks BE any more newsy! (to be read in the voice of Chandler Bing) Stories circulating that the Aquilini’s may be looking to sell off the team, or a portion of it. Presented by @bogeyjuice ♬ original sound – Sekeres & Price
- Francesco Aquilini continues as the primary public representative tied to hockey matters
- Roberto Aquilini remains engaged in family business operations with minimal public exposure
- Public facing authority has increasingly shifted toward Francesco as executive responsibilities concentrate.
Full Family Control Confirmed
Public reporting during the early 2010s documented a full buyout of remaining minority stakeholders.
Completion of that process resulted in complete family ownership of the franchise through Aquilini Investment Group. External influence was eliminated, leaving governance entirely internal.
Unified ownership strengthened authority and reduced structural complexity. Consistent planning became easier across business and hockey operations, allowing long-term strategies to align with family objectives without external approval requirements.
Current Leadership and Public Presence
Francesco Aquilini serves as managing director of Aquilini Investment Group and holds the position of NHL Alternate Governor for the Vancouver Canucks.
League meetings, media engagement, and organizational announcements typically involve Francesco as the primary spokesperson and decision maker.
Roberto Aquilini continues to participate in family enterprises while maintaining a limited public profile related to hockey.
Paolo’s departure further concentrated visibility and authority around Francesco, reinforcing his role as the central figure tied to ownership control and public accountability.
Summary
Family ownership of the Vancouver Canucks remains intact through Aquilini Investment Group despite internal adjustments.
Control stays firmly within the Aquilini structure, with Francesco Aquilini functioning as the primary public and operational figure connected to the franchise.
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