Malhotra’s family ties fuel draft-year rise and may lead him back to Vancouver

Caleb Malhotra was enjoying a final night of camaraderie with his Brantford Bulldogs teammates following a heartbreaking Game 7 loss in the Ontario Hockey League Eastern Conference final when the NHL draft lottery popped up on the television screens.

“It was on in the background,” the 6-foot-2, 182-pound centre said. “We were in a restaurant just hanging out one last time before everybody went home. I didn’t pay that much attention to it. Just saw the results after and it was pretty crazy. It was wild. I was getting texts from different people asking, ‘Where do you think you’re going to go? What do you think about what happened?’ And, like, I don’t know, honestly. It was pretty hectic. It was cool to be able to watch it with my teammates.”

Malhotra is one of the biggest risers in this year’s draft class and is projected to be the first centre selected. TSN director of scouting Craig Button has Malhotra going to the Vancouver Canucks third overall in his latest mock draft.

Malhotra’s dad, Manny, played for the Canucks from 2010 to 2013 and currently serves as the head coach of the team’s American Hockey League affiliate in Abbotsford, B.C.

“Obviously, I’ve thought about it,” the 17-year-old said. “Growing up in Vancouver, going back home would be really cool. That’s the team I’ve cheered for most of my life. And then my dad being a part of that organization, it would be interesting. It’s a weird feeling. It’s pretty cool, though. But, I mean, there’s a long way to go, so we’ll see what happens on draft night.”

After posting 26 points in 44 games with the Chilliwack Chiefs in the BCHL last season, Malhotra made the jump to the OHL this year and took off producing 84 points in 67 games with the Bulldogs.

During a conversation with TSN, Malhotra explained how he improved so quickly and reflected on his incredible playoff performance. He also shared how advice from his dad helped him along the way. The following is an edited transcript of the interview.

TSN: You mentioned it would be “interesting” to be in the same organization as your dad. What do you think that would be like?

Caleb Malhotra: I don’t know, to be honest with you. I haven’t had him coach me since I was probably 12 years old. Taking orders from your dad as a coach is different than taking orders from a coach. And obviously it’d be fine. I’d be able to adjust, but it’d just be different. I don’t know if it’s really happened before with someone being coached by their dad, so I don’t know what’ll happen. But if that does happen, it’ll be pretty cool. Pretty weird, though.

TSN: Your dad went seventh overall in the 1998 draft. Are bragging rights on the line if you go earlier than he did?

Caleb Malhotra: Definitely. I think he’s rooting for me to go higher, but I’m still going to rub it in (smile) if I do.

TSN: What’s the best advice your dad’s given you about the draft season?

Caleb Malhotra: Taking it one day at a time. I know it’s kind of basic advice, but it really helps. Just taking it one day, one shift, one rep at a time and just narrowing everything down in one day to specific parts of my day. That really helped me not get too big picture and really be able to focus on my day to day and each game and how I wanted to perform. It really helped me throughout this year not getting overwhelmed or anything.

TSN: How does your game compare to your dad’s? How are you different? How are you similar?

Caleb Malhotra: The defensive responsibility is kind of one [similar] thing. He was really well-known for with his faceoffs and defence. So, being positionally sound and positionally smart and then being able to check guys and be physical when needed. I think my offence is a bit higher than his and I let him know that too (laugh) just fooling around the house. But, yeah, I think my offence kind of separates me.

TSN: What’s he say when you bring that up?

Caleb Malhotra: He doesn’t really have a comeback (laugh). That’s my finishing blow every time. I like to say that one

TSN: What was your favourite moment growing up around the game?

Caleb Malhotra: There’s a lot of different moments. When I was a lot younger when he played for the Canucks, I just remember being in that dressing room after games and seeing all the players and thinking it was so cool. I felt normal being around like the Sedin twins and Roberto Luongo and all those guys. It was pretty special thinking back on it now. Very few kids get to have that experience and remember it.

TSN: How prepared are you to play in the spotlight of a Canadian market?

Caleb Malhotra: I’m good at blocking out negative attention and negative words towards myself. I’ve done that pretty much my whole life and especially this draft year. Anybody that I wouldn’t take advice from, I don’t really take criticism from. I find that pretty easy. Eventually you’re going to hear it. I mean, if it’s all around the city in a Canadian market, it’s going to be getting attention and I think I’ll be fine with that. I’m pretty good at handling pressure and I don’t see it being a big issue for myself.

TSN: It was a great playoff run for you in the OHL with 13 goals and 26 points in the 15 games. Why do you think you had so much success?

Caleb Malhotra: A couple of reasons. Playing with one of the best power plays in the league and on one of the best teams in the league, I got that opportunity and I capitalized on it. And then playing bigger games, I think that’s where I find that I play better, and it ended up showing a bit there. I’m happy it did.

TSN: How do you handle pressure?

Caleb Malhotra: I let it fuel me. Playing in those big moments is what big players play for and I really enjoy that kind of excitement and that pressure. That’s just fuels me.

TSN: It felt like you were building momentum all season. How do you feel about your draft season overall?

Caleb Malhotra: It was pretty good. I made my mark, made a name for myself. I still got a ways to go, but I think I did exactly what I wanted. I got better as the season went on and it kind of showed in my post-season as well. I’m just going to try to continue to get better and improve as a player.

TSN: Where did you improve the most this season?

Caleb Malhotra: My skating improved a lot since the beginning of the year. My shot also took a jump.

TSN: How did you improve that?

Caleb Malhotra: Just reps. Trying to take extra reps and shooting on the goalies whenever I could. Getting stronger in the gym really helped as well with being able to put more weight into my stick. And just tweaking things in my stick, just little things like the pattern and the flex, and I found what works for me.

TSN: What did you settle on?

Caleb Malhotra: I use a pretty stock curve. I use P92 and then 77 flex so pretty, pretty basic, but I like it. It works for me.

TSN: What’s it been like digesting the end of the season?

Caleb Malhotra: It’s been tough saying goodbye to all the guys. Everyone’s going home so saying goodbye to our over-agers and everybody moving on to the next level. But, at the same time, we’re really proud of ourselves. We worked so hard and it’s just kind of a feeling of pride about how hard we worked. And then just seeing the draft lottery is pretty, pretty cool. Yeah, it’s been a heck of a couple of days.

TSN: As you reflect on the conference final series against the Barrie Colts, you guys were in a good spot up 3-1, what happened?

Caleb Malhotra: A lot went into it, obviously. We ran into a really hot goalie (Ben Hrebik). Obviously that’s not to discredit their lineup at all, because they played really hard and gave us a run for our money and they won, but I think their goalie played outstanding and kind of kept them in it.

TSN: Your dad is a good resource, but not the only athlete in the family. Two time NBA MVP Steve Nash is your uncle. What’s it been like being around him growing up?

Caleb Malhotra: It’s cool. Even though he’s retired and I don’t remember much about him playing, he still has professional athlete habits with how he takes care of his body and how he works out and his discipline and his commitment to whatever task he does. Just that competitive spirit is in our whole family with my dad, my mom, my uncle obviously, and growing up with that really helped me.

TSN: Do you have a favourite story about Nash?

Caleb Malhotra: Me and my brothers were playing 3-on-2 against him and my dad and, for whatever reason, I thought I was going to be better than him. I was about 12 years old and I thought I was going to be able to dribble around him and steal the ball from him. And he just had it on a string the whole time. You can imagine how it goes (smile). He just didn’t miss a shot. It was pretty funny thinking back on it. I was so confused with how he was so good. I was like, ‘Did this guy play or something? Like, how’s he so good?’ Yeah.

TSN: You have great role models in your family. In today’s NHL, who do you see as a role model?

Caleb Malhotra: I model my game after Aleksander Barkov. I know he didn’t play this season, but watching him all playoffs last year and the last couple of years, he’s been the most underrated player in the league for a long time. Now he’s getting his recognition because of how good of a leader is and how he plays the game. He can go against Connor McDavid and limit him as much as anyone can. When I see a guy like that, that’s able to do that on one side of the ice and be able to score and make really unbelievable plays and skillful plays, strong in the puck, he’s kind of everything you want in a leader and someone you want to build a team around. So that’s somebody I try to model my game after.

TSN: What’s your favourite moment from the season?

Caleb Malhotra: Oh, that’s a tough one. A lot of guys would probably say the same thing: just going out to eat with the guys, laughing the whole time, enjoying ourselves, just being able to enjoy ourselves playing junior hockey with our best friends. That’s probably the favourite part of my year and something I’ll never forget.