Malhotra spent the past four seasons as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs
The Vancouver Canucks have hired Manny Malhotra as the new head coach of the Abbotsford Canucks, the team announced Friday.
Malhotra, who spent the past four seasons as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs, replaces Jeremy Colliton who served in the role since July 2022.
Malhotra is no stranger to the Canucks organization, spending three seasons with the Canucks as a player from 2010-2013 before serving as a development coach/assistant coach from 2016-2020.
Drafted by the New York Rangers in the first round (seventh overall) of the 1998 NHL Draft, Malhotra went on to have a successful 16-year NHL career where he had 295 points in 991 career games.
Known more for his defensive prowess and competitiveness, Malhotra was highly regarded around the league during his playing days for how difficult he was to play against.
"Bringing in someone who is familiar with the organization is a big win for us,” said Allvin in the team's official press release. “Manny’s experience in hockey development and coaching has prepared him really well for this head coaching opportunity."
As Malhotra enters his new role with Abbotsford, he will be expected to help develop the next wave of Canucks prospects.
While he just accepted this new head coaching opportunity, it would not be a surprise to see Malhotra get a head coaching gig one day behind an NHL bench.
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