Ryan Johnson speaks: Search begins for new Abbotsford Canucks general manager, head coach

The Interior News

The search is officially on for a new general manager and head coach for the Abbotsford Canucks.

Vancouver named Manny Malhotra as that franchise’s 23rd head coach on Monday (June 1) and he joins GM Ryan Johnson (hired on May 14) as the dynamic duo that brought a Calder Cup to Abbotsford have now reunited in the NHL.

Johnson, currently in Buffalo for the NHL Scouting Combine, spoke with media on Zoom one day after the hiring of Malhotra and confirmed that he has started the hunt.

“I have started some of the process, as far as a GM in Abbotsford, and have been looking at names,” he said. “But at the end of the day, I do want the input from the new GM – that will be in Abbotsford – on a head coach. I think I owe it to that person to trust them to have some input onto the build there.”

He also stated that he’d like Malhotra to have some familiarity and comfort with the person taking his job, as the pair will work close together.

“It’s important for me that Manny, and the head coach that comes into Abbotsford, have some communication and some likeness in the sense that I want the organization to be speaking the same language,” he said. “It doesn’t have to be exact, but I do want a relationship and want communication between the staffs.”

Malhotra leaves Abbotsford after two seasons with a record of 72-61-11 and helped the team capture its first-ever Calder Cup in 2025. Johnson said he was confident that Malhotra could excel in Abbotsford when he hired him there in 2024.

“When I knew I needed a head coach in Abbotsford, I was very vindicated that he could do a heck of a job there,” he recalled. “I knew there was going to be a growth period of understanding for him in the AHL, but I felt there was somebody that was really strong and could handle it, learn and be okay. He’s able to wear many hats, able to handle adverse situations by being consistent and he was able to deliver that consistency through a championship season.”

Johnson said he believes that Abbotsford’s challenging season in 2025-26 will also make Malhotra a better coach.

“When you’re down and you’re getting kicked a little bit and you can continue to coach and continue to develop – there were so many great development stories of players that went on this past season through all the turmoil and adversity we were facing,” he said. “They showed to me, as a group, what they were really made of and what they would be able to handle moving forward.”

He also shared that the possibility of drafting Manny’s son Caleb Malhotra was discussed and noted that that decision will not be an issue for anyone moving forward.

“I had to be very honest and clear with Manny that I want him as head coach of the Vancouver Canucks,” he said. “I wanted to make sure we weren’t in a scenario where we were sitting there on June 2oth and Manny said I really wish I would have known this was a scenario or that there was more clarity. I wanted to make sure he had time to talk to his wife and family and understand this is a possible scenario and there was no hesitation moving forward and taking this position.”

Johnson declined to share the length or financial details of Malhotra’s contract and confirmed he had a long chat with forward Elias Pettersson since being named GM. He also said that no decision has been made yet on if Vancouver will name a captain for this upcoming season.

Malhotra is expected to speak with the media on Thursday (June 4). The next big date on Vancouver’s calendar is the NHL Draft, which occurs on June 26 and 27 in Buffalo. Vancouver has picks three and 24 in the first round.

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