Leafs assistant coach Manny Malhotra joins AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks as head coach
By Mike Gould
2 months agoAfter four seasons serving as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Manny Malhotra has joined the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks as their new head coach.
Malhotra served on Sheldon Keefe’s staff in Toronto from 2020 to 2024, helping the Leafs reach the playoffs in each of his four seasons behind the bench.
The 44-year-old former NHL player previously spent four seasons as a coach in the Canucks organization from 2016 to 2020, working as a development coach in the 2016-17 season and as an assistant coach on Travis Green’s staff from 2017 to 2020.
“Bringing in someone who is familiar with the organization is a big win for us,” Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said in a statement on Friday. “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.”
“Being able to return to the Vancouver Canucks organization is an incredible opportunity for both me and my family,” Malhotra said. “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.”
Malhotra replaces Jeremy Colliton as the head coach in Abbotsford. Colliton and the Canucks parted ways after they were unable to reach an agreement about his future in the organization; he is now free to pursue opportunities in the NHL.
With Malhotra now in Abbotsford, the Leafs have a spot open on their coaching staff. Recent rumours have tied the Leafs with now-former Calgary Flames assistant coach Marc Savard, who vacated his position with the Flames on Wednesday.
The New York Rangers originally selected Malhotra with the No. 7 overall pick in the 1998 NHL Draft. The Mississauga, Ontario product appeared in 991 games over his long NHL career with the Rangers, Dallas Stars, Columbus Blue Jackets, San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks, Carolina Hurricanes, and Montreal Canadiens, collecting 116 goals and 295 points.
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