Vancouver, BC – The Vancouver Canucks have officially named Manny Malhotra as their 23rd head coach, a move announced today by General Manager Ryan Johnson. Malhotra, 46, steps into the role after successfully leading the club’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks, to a Calder Cup championship in 2025. He succeeds Adam Foote, who was dismissed on May 19 following a challenging season that saw the Canucks finish with the NHL's worst record.

This coaching change is part of a broader leadership restructuring that took place in May 2026. Ryan Johnson was promoted to General Manager on May 14, transitioning from his previous roles as assistant GM and head of the Abbotsford affiliate. Concurrently, Canucks legends Daniel and Henrik Sedin assumed the positions of co-presidents of hockey operations. This new management team is now tasked with spearheading a comprehensive rebuild, with the Canucks currently holding the third overall pick in the upcoming 2026 NHL Draft.

In his first player transaction as General Manager, Johnson also confirmed the signing of 25-year-old Russian forward Ilya Safonov to a one-year, two-way contract. Safonov, who previously played for Ak Bars Kazan in the KHL, recorded 33 points in 68 games during the 2025-26 season. Johnson expressed optimism about Safonov's potential, citing his size and recent playoff performance as key attributes that will allow him to compete for a roster spot during training camp.

With Malhotra’s promotion, the search is now underway for a new general manager and head coach for the Abbotsford Canucks. Speaking from the NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo, Johnson emphasized the priority of finding a new AHL General Manager, who will play a crucial role in selecting the next minor-league head coach to ensure consistent organizational alignment.