VANCOUVER — The way Manny Malhotra guided a team to a Calder Cup championship isn’t what impressed Vancouver Canucks general manager Ryan Johnson.
It was the way the head coach of the American Hockey League’s Abbotsford Canucks handled a difficult campaign the following season, one full of injuries and inconsistent lineups, that earned Malhotra the head coaching job in Vancouver, Johnson said Tuesday.
“When you’re down and getting kicked a little bit, and you can stay with who you are and that consistency, continue to coach, continue to develop … that’s where they showed to me, as a group, what they were really made of and what they would be able to handle moving forward," the GM said on a video call.
Malhotra was officially named the 23rd head coach in franchise history on Monday night.
His coaching staff will be filled out over the coming weeks and months, Johnson said.
Malhotra previously served as a development coach and an assistant coach for the NHL’s Canucks, then spent four seasons as an assistant with the Toronto Maple Leafs before taking on head coaching duties in Abbotsford.
Under the 46-year-old former NHL forward, the Abbotsford Canucks won a Calder Cup championship in 2024-25 before missing the playoffs last season.
In Vancouver, he takes over from Adam Foote, who was fired on May 19 after serving a single season as bench boss.
The Canucks finished the season last in the league with a 25-49-8 record.
Malhotra was immediately seen as the logical successor, but Johnson — who was named Vancouver’s GM last month — wanted to take his time in speaking to him about the vision and direction of the rebuilding NHL team.
“I don’t want to do anything with a knee-jerk reaction. I wanted to go through this process, make sure it was clear with Manny,” he said. ”And Manny, when he jumped into it, he jumped with both feet. And that’s how we got to this point here. Obviously, we’re both very excited to move forward.”
It’s the second time Johnson has hired Malhotra as a head coach after tabbing him to lead Abbotsford in 2024.
At the time, Johnson was GM of the AHL team and looked at his running list of intriguing coaches for inspiration.
“Manny was one of a few that I had really been keeping an eye on. And when I knew I needed a head coach in Abbotsford, I was very vindicated that he could do a heck of a job there,” he said.
“Things that jumped out right away were his ability to connect and communicate. Manny is able to wear many hats. He holds players accountable. It’s not rainbows every day. He’s able to navigate adverse situations by being consistent.”
Malhotra may have to navigate a potentially thorny personal situation next season.
The Canucks hold the third overall pick in this year’s draft — and Malhotra’s 18-year-old son, Caleb, is expected to be a top selection.
Johnson said he spoke extensively with his new coach about the situation and made it clear that every decision the team makes, whether about hiring, drafting or playing, will not impact another decision.
“I had to be very honest and clear with Manny that I want him as the head coach of the Vancouver Canucks,” the GM said.
“There is a possibility — at what per cent I can’t tell you — that the Vancouver Canucks select Caleb. I wanted to make sure that we weren’t sitting there on June 26 and Manny was in a spot where he said, ‘Hey, RJ, I really wish I would have known that was a scenario or I really wish there was just a little bit more clarity.’”
Johnson added that before accepting the job, Malhotra discussed with his family the possibility of coaching his son and ultimately had no concerns about a potential conflict.
“In regards to the draft, we’re going through the process, and obviously decisions are still being made,” he said from Buffalo, N.Y., where the NHL is holding its pre-draft combine.
“We’ll make our decisions based on who the best player available is when we pick. There’s not going to be an outside influence changing who that might be.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 2, 2026.
Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press
