May 14, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Manny Malhotra (20) faces the media during a press conference at the Bell Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
May 14, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens forward Manny Malhotra (20) faces the media during a press conference at the Bell Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
The Vancouver Canucks' hunt for their new coach has finally ended. Per the NHL insider Frank Seravalli, the team has promoted Manny Malhotra to the head coach position.
He was the coach of the Abbotsford Canucks, the Canucks' AHL affiliate, for the past two seasons and is now looking forward to the new role. NHL News shared it via a post on X (formerly Twitter), writing:
"BREAKING: #Canucks have a deal in place to name Manny Malhotra as the club’s new head coach, per @frank_seravalli"
For Malhotra, the coaching journey started in 2016 after he was appointed a development coach for the Canucks for one season. He was then promoted to assistant coach and was part of the team for three more seasons.
He then took the same role with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2020. But after spending three seasons with them, he returned to the Canucks and has now been promoted to the head coach position.
Malhotra is the successor to Adam Foote, whom the team had fired last month after having one of the worst seasons in the NHL. However, Malhotra is not the only new addition to the team, as they have also hired Ryan Johnson as the general manager.
Canucks' New GM Opens up about Malhotra
Canucks rookie general manager Ryan Johnson praised the team for appointing Manny Malhotra to his new role. He lauded the 46-year-old for his leadership qualities
"Manny and I have been in the battle together before, so I know firsthand what a good teacher, leader, and quality person he is," Johnson said. "Connection, consistency, and putting in place the proper foundation will be key for our group moving forward."
Although Malhotra is joining the team now as head coach, he has previously been a part of the team and played for them from 2010 to 2013. It will be interesting to see how things unfold for him as the coach.
What do you think of Malhotra's addition to the Vancouver Canucks? Will the team bounce back from their terrible 2025–26 season? Let us know in the comments.
Written by
Ankita Yadav
Edited by
Ankita Yadav