Manny Malholtra hired to coach AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks announced Friday that Manny Malholtra will be the new head coach of the Abbotsford Canucks, the team’s AHL affiliate.

“Being able to return the to the Vancouver Canucks organization is an incredible opportunity for both me and my family,” Malholtra said in a team 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.”

Canucks’ General Manager Patrik Allvin said bringing in someone who was familiar with the organization like Malholtra was “a big win” for them.

“Manny’s experience in hockey development and coaching has prepared him really well for this head coaching opportunity,” Allvin said. “We look forward to working with him and providing our staff in Abbotsford all the support they need to continue to develop our players.”

Malholtra spent the last four seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs as an assistant coach under Sheldon Keefe. Before that, he worked as a development coach for Vancouver in 2016-17, then as an assistant from 2017 to 2020.

As a player, Malholtra recorded 116 goals and 179 assists for 295 points in 991 career NHL games, playing 16 seasons with the Canucks, New York Rangers, Dallas Stars, Columbus Blue Jackets, San Jose Sharks, Carolina Hurricanes, Montreal Canadiens.

He was part of the 2010-11 Canucks squad that went to the Stanley Cup Final against the Boston Bruins, losing in seven games.

Last week, Vancouver was eliminated in seven games by the Edmonton Oilers in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Meanwhile, the AHL version of the Canucks was eliminated in three games by the Ontario Reign in the Pacific Division Semifinals.