Manny Malhotra Named Vancouver Canucks’ New Head Coach

Noah Chen

6/2/20261 min read

The Vancouver Canucks have named Manny Malhotra as the team’s new head coach, making him the 23rd head coach in franchise history.

The announcement was made Monday night as the organization continues a major leadership overhaul following a difficult season.

Malhotra, a former Canucks player, returns to Vancouver after a successful run with the American Hockey League’s Abbotsford Canucks, where he helped lead the club to a Calder Cup championship during the 2024–25 campaign.

A Familiar Face Returns to Vancouver

General manager Ryan Johnson praised Malhotra in a statement, saying he has seen firsthand the qualities that made him the right choice for the role.

Johnson and Malhotra worked together in Abbotsford, where the team’s championship run helped strengthen Malhotra’s reputation as a strong teacher, communicator and leader.

Malhotra had quickly emerged as the leading candidate to replace Adam Foote, who was dismissed on May 19 after one season behind the Canucks’ bench.

Part of a Broader Canucks Reset

The hiring comes during a significant reshaping of the Canucks’ front office and coaching structure.

Vancouver has already replaced general manager Patrik Allvin, president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford and head coach Adam Foote after finishing last in the league with a 25-29-8 record.

Malhotra’s arrival marks another major step in the organization’s attempt to reset its direction and rebuild confidence after a disappointing season.

Reuniting with Former Teammates

The move also reunites Malhotra with former Canucks teammates Daniel and Henrik Sedin, who were named co-presidents of hockey operations last month.

Together, the group brings a strong connection to the franchise’s past while taking on the challenge of guiding the team through its next chapter.

For Malhotra, the appointment represents a major return to the NHL stage and a new opportunity to lead a franchise he once represented as a player.

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