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2w ago

Canucks Hire Manny Malhotra as Head Coach

The promotion signals a development-first rebuild under new GM Ryan Johnson, prioritizing bench staffing, the upcoming No. 3 draft pick.

Abbotsford Canucks' head coach Manny Malhotra stands on the bench behind Sammy Blais, front left to right, Jonathan Lekkerimaki and Phillip Di Giuseppe during the first period in Game 5 of the AHL Calder Cup Final against the Charlotte Checkers, in Abbotsford, B.C., on Saturday, June 21, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Manny Malhotra, Vancouver Canucks Head Coach (Andy Nietupski / TTL Sports Media; X: @TTLSports: Instagram: @TTLSportsMedia)
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Overview

  • The Canucks confirmed late Monday that Manny Malhotra will be the 23rd head coach in franchise history after being promoted from AHL Abbotsford.
  • General manager Ryan Johnson praised Malhotra as a teacher and culture-builder and said the hire fits a long-term plan to develop young players.
  • Malhotra led Abbotsford to the 2024–25 Calder Cup, previously served as Vancouver’s development coach and NHL assistant, and spent four years as a Toronto assistant.
  • The club must now assemble Malhotra’s NHL coaching staff and integrate analytics into the bench plan while making draft decisions this month.
  • Vancouver holds the No. 3 overall pick and has scouted Caleb Malhotra, the coach’s son, but both Ryan Johnson and Caleb say drafting choices will be made independently of the hire.