Vancouver Canucks Hire Manny Malhotra as New Head Coach

The 45-year-old former Canucks forward and assistant coach was widely viewed as a strong internal candidate and was easily the favorite for the role the moment the vacancy existed. In 2024-25, he guided Abbotsford to the franchise’s first Calder Cup championship. Known for his player-development focus, strong leadership, and emphasis on culture, Malhotra also previously served as an assistant with both the Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs.

General Manager Ryan Johnson said in his statement:

“Manny and I have been in the battle together before, so I know firsthand what a good teacher, leader, and quality person he is. Connection, consistency and putting in place the proper foundation will be key for our group moving forward. Manny is a great coach who has the right skillset and mentality to help players develop and get better each day. 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. 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.”

Co-presidents Henrik and Daniel Sedin are believed to have also prioritized continuity and familiarity during what will be a challenging rebuild.

“[Malhotra] has earned this opportunity,” a source close to the situation told reporters. “He’s ready for the next step.” Ryan Johnson will meet with the media tomorrow over Zoom at 10 AM PT. Malhotra will be made available in person later this week.

Perhaps this is also an indication that the Canucks are leaning towards drafting Manny’s son, Caleb Malhotra at the NHL Draft in a few weeks.