The Vancouver Canucks announced Monday evening that they have selected Manny Malhotra as their new head coach.
The former NHL forward replaces Adam Foote, who was dismissed last month following Vancouver’s last-place finish in the NHL during his sole season leading the team.
Malhotra will serve as the franchise’s 23rd head coach and represents another former player being elevated within the organization as it undergoes reconstruction.
“Manny and I have been in the battle together before, so I know firsthand what a good teacher, leader, and quality person he is,” general manager Ryan Johnson said in a statement.
The two previously collaborated in the minor leagues with the American Hockey League’s Abbotsford Canucks.
“Manny is a great coach who has the right skill set and mentality to help players develop and get better each day,” Johnson said. “We both believe that pressure is a privilege, and learning to become a good pro takes patience, dedication and a ‘be better than yesterday’ mindset.”
Foote was dismissed on May 19 following the Canucks’ 25-49-8 record last season. Malhotra quickly became a leading contender for the position, with Johnson indicating he would meet with the 46-year-old former NHL player to “talk about the future.”
Malhotra’s coaching background includes roles as a development coach and assistant coach for the Canucks, followed by four seasons as an assistant with the Toronto Maple Leafs before taking the head coaching position at Abbotsford.
During his tenure there, he led the AHL squad to a Calder Cup championship in the 2024-25 season. The team failed to reach the playoffs the previous season while dealing with numerous long-term player injuries.
Johnson emphasized that Malhotra’s leadership during Abbotsford’s difficult season demonstrated his character as both a coach and individual.
“To see that when you can rely on the foundation of the consistent environment and the coaching through the worst of times and really continue to propel players forward, even though the wins and losses aren’t there, it tells you a lot about him,” he said.
“That entire staff showed that they’re champions based off of not the year before, but of what they did last year, and what people around them took out of a pretty tough season.”
The appointment brings Malhotra back together with former teammates Daniel and Henrik Sedin, who were appointed Vancouver’s co-presidents of hockey operations on May 14.
The Ontario native played 16 NHL seasons after being selected by the New York Rangers in 1998.
His career statistics include 116 goals and 295 points across 991 regular-season contests with Vancouver, New York, the Dallas Stars, Columbus Blue Jackets, San Jose Sharks, Montreal Canadiens and Carolina Hurricanes.
During his time with the Canucks, Malhotra suffered a serious facial injury from a puck in March 2011, resulting in permanent vision impairment in his left eye. The injury caused him to miss significant time during the team’s Stanley Cup Final appearance that year and led to a diminished role the following season.
“He loves the game and getting to know what makes his players tick, and I am very confident Manny will help us ice a competitive and hard-working team that our fans will be proud of moving forward,” Johnson said.
