Former Maple Leafs Assistant Manny Malhotra Hired as Head Coach of AHL's Abbotsford Canucks
Malhotra joined the Maple Leafs in 2020 after serving as an assistant coach with the Vancouver Canucks for three seasons.
Manny Malhotra has taken the next step in his coaching career.
The former player of nearly 1,000 NHL games was named head coach of the Vancouver Canucks' AHL affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks on Friday afternoon.
Malhotra had been with the Maple Leafs for four seasons, joining the organization in 2020. Last summer, after the organization hired Guy Boucher and Mike Van Ryn, the 44-year-old transitioned from being on Toronto's bench to being their eye in the sky while continuing to help the team in pre-scouts and faceoffs.
"Being able to return to the Vancouver Canucks organization is an incredible opportunity for both me and my family," Malhotra said in a statement. "Getting the chance to help develop the next wave of young talent is an honour and a privilege. We have a lot of good prospects in the group, and I can’t wait to get started on the ice.
"I would like to thank the Toronto Maple Leafs as well for providing me the opportunity to work with them the past four years."
Before joining the Maple Leafs' coaching staff, Malhotra spent three seasons as an assistant coach with Vancouver. He also played 159 games with the Canucks, spanning from 2010-2013.
"Bringing in someone who is familiar with the organization is a big win for us," said Canucks GM Patrik Allvin in a statement. "Manny’s experience in hockey development and coaching has prepared him really well for this head coaching opportunity. We look forward to working with him and providing our staff in Abbotsford all the support they need to continue to develop our players."
Malhotra was part of the Maple Leafs for their first-round series win over the Tampa Bay Lightning last year, the organization's first playoff-round victory since 2004. He's replacing Jeremy Colliton, who was named head coach of Abbotsford in 2022.
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Toronto's coaching staff under new bench boss Craig Berube is Boucher, Van Ryn, and Dean Chynoweth. It was also reported earlier on Friday by TSN and SPDN's Chris Johnston that Marc Savard is "likely to come" to Toronto as an assistant after parting ways with the Calgary Flames on Wednesday.
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