Manny Malhotra Appointed as Head Coach of AHL Canucks’ Minor League Team

The Vancouver Canucks have made a significant coaching move by appointing Manny Malhotra as the new head coach of their top minor league team in Abbotsford. Malhotra will be taking over from Jeremy Colliton, who received high praise for his coaching tenure with the AHL Canucks.

The decision to bring in Malhotra represents a sudden but strategic shift in the coaching leadership for the Canucks’ development team. General Manager Ryan Johnson expressed the importance of timing and seizing the opportunity to secure their top candidate for the position.

Malhotra and Johnson’s careers have been intertwined over the years, with both having notable NHL playing careers as defensive centres. While they never played together, their paths crossed when Malhotra replaced Johnson as the Canucks’ primary defensive faceoff specialist in 2010.

Following their playing days, Malhotra and Johnson embarked on a coaching journey together within the Canucks’ organization. Malhotra served as a development coach before joining the NHL coaching staff led by Travis Green. Johnson, in his current role as GM of the Abbotsford Canucks, played a pivotal role in bringing Malhotra back into the fold.

Malhotra’s wealth of experience both as a player and a coach, combined with his leadership qualities and work ethic, were key factors in his selection as the head coach. Johnson highlighted Malhotra’s desire to take on a head coaching role and build a strong foundation for the young prospects within the organization.

In a statement, Malhotra expressed his excitement to return to the Vancouver Canucks organization, citing the opportunity to develop the next generation of talent as an honor and privilege. His ties to British Columbia, including his family connections in Victoria, further solidify his enthusiasm for the role.

Meanwhile, Colliton’s departure, while bittersweet, reflects the nature of progression in the coaching ranks. Johnson reiterated the mutual respect between him and Colliton, acknowledging the latter’s ambitions to pursue a head coaching position in the NHL once again. Colliton’s recent interviews with teams like the San Jose Sharks signal his determination to continue his coaching career at the highest level.