OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — The Ottawa Senators have hired Travis Green as coach, signing him to a four-year contract through the 2027-28 NHL season.

The team announced the move Tuesday, with Green taking over for interim coach Jacques Martin. Green most recently served as interim coach of the New Jersey Devils after replacing Lindy Ruff in March. Ruff has since also moved on, returning to Buffalo, where he coached the Sabres from 1997-2013.

Green, 53, coached the Vancouver Canucks from 2017-21, guiding them to the playoffs once in four full seasons. The Senators have not qualified the past seven years going back to ’17 when they were one win away from the Stanley Cup Final and lost to eventual champion Pittsburgh in overtime in Game 7.

“After speaking to several highly qualified candidates, it became clear that Travis is the right fit to lead our group,” president of hockey operations and general manager Steve Staios said. “As we’ve routinely stated, developing a winning culture is paramount to our aspiration of achieving sustained success. Travis has a burning desire to win, is passionate about teaching and holds his players to a very high standard."

More than half the league has made at least one change at the position over the past 18 months and more could be coming. Green moving on, as expected, means the Devils are in the market for a fifth coach since 2019.

Green's hire is the latest major decision since new owner Michael Andlauer assumed control of the organization in September.

Staios took over as GM after Pierre Dorion was fired Nov. 1, hours after the league stripped the Senators of a first-round pick for their role in an invalidated trade last year. Coach D.J. Smith was fired Dec. 18 and replaced by Martin on an interim basis.

Green played 14 NHL seasons with the New York Islanders, Anaheim Ducks, Phoenix Coyotes, Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins.

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