The moment the Vancouver Canucks selected Caleb Malhotra with the No. 3 pick in the 2026 Upper Deck NHL Draft was already emotional. Still, a newly shared phone call between the young center and GM Ryan Johnson made it even more meaningful.

The exchange, posted on the Vancouver Canucks’ official X account, showed the instant connection between the team’s leadership and their newest prospect, highlighting belief and high expectations from the start.

GM Ryan Johnson praised Malhotra and set the tone for what the organization expects from him.

"Oh man, well, congratulations. I'm happy for you, I'm happy for your siblings, for your family. Seeing you guys all there together, to be able to go through this, it's just awesome. We are so excited to have you, Caleb. Not just the player that you are, but the person you are. That's what we're going to build here, and we're going to do it the right way”, GM said. 

Malhotra, clearly emotional but steady, replied with confidence.

"Yeah, thank you guys so much. I'm so grateful for this. You got the right guy. I'm going to give everything for this organization. So I really can't wait”, Caleb Malhotra answered. 

Johnson ended the call by telling him to enjoy the moment.

"Enjoy it with the group there. And I'll look forward to seeing you Sunday when you get out here and we get going."

That first call between Caleb Malhotra and Canucks GM Ryan Johnson quickly built trust, belief, and clear expectations.

A Dream Fulfilled in Vancouver

According to an NHL report, the selection had deep personal meaning for the Malhotra family, especially as Caleb sat with his parents, Manny and Joann, waiting for the call during a tense and emotional draft night.

Manny Malhotra, now the Canucks’ head coach, stayed away from the decision process and called it a “Christmas morning” surprise as he watched his son’s dream come true.

Caleb scored 29 goals and 84 points in the OHL and earned comparisons to Nico Hischier for his strong two-way game. He later reflected on how life-changing the moment was.

"This is something I literally dreamed about," he said. Manny added, "It's one of those where did it all go moments?"

Beyond the draft floor, Vancouver now has a rare father-son situation, with Manny possibly coaching Caleb at the NHL level. Caleb has already said he understands that “it’s now business, you listen to your coach,” showing he is ready to keep personal and professional roles separate. The team now enters a unique story shaped by both talent and family history.

As Vancouver builds its next era, the big question is whether this emotional start can lead to championship success for both the franchise and the family.

A dream draft night has become a shared NHL journey for the Malhotra family and the Canucks.

What do you think? Will Caleb Malhotra become the cornerstone Vancouver has been waiting for? Comment down below. 

Read more at the NHL Fan Central.

Written by

Kapil Manghnani

Edited by

Kaamna Dwivedi