The Vancouver Canucks promoted from within when hiring their new coach on Wednesday.
Adam Foote was named the team’s 22nd coach, replacing Rick Tocchet, who turned down a contract extension to pursue other opportunities.
Foote, 53, had been an assistant coach with Vancouver since January 2023, working with the team’s defensemen, including Norris Trophy winner and current finalist Quinn Hughes.
‘He knows this group better than anyone else we interviewed and has inside knowledge and understanding of what it will take to get us back to where we want to be,’ Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said in a statement. ‘Adam brings structure, accountability and a detail oriented approach to his coaching, a process that will send a clear message to our group about the way we want to compete, practice and play hockey.’
This is Foote’s first NHL head-coaching position. He had been a head coach with the Kelowna (British Columbia) Rockets in the Western Hockey League.
Foote will have a tough task ahead of him. The Canucks have made the playoffs once since 2019-20, winning the Pacific Division title in 2023-24 but dropping by 19 points and missing the playoffs last season.
They traded forward J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers amid a rift with Elias Pettersson. Pettersson, a former 100-point scorer, had 45 points last season. No. 2 scorer Brock Boeser is a pending unrestricted free agent and is expected to sign elsewhere. No. 1 goalie Thatcher Demko has had injury issues.
Foote played 1,154 regular-season games as an NHL defenseman and won two Stanley Cups with the Colorado Avalanche, scoring the clinching goal in 1996. He also was a three-time Olympian with Team Canada, winning gold in 2002. He joined the Avalanche as a development consultant and defensive coach in 2011 after he retired as a player.
“Adam is a strong leader, good teacher and person who knows what it takes to build a great culture and winning attitude,” said Allvin. “His past experiences on the ice have translated nicely into a coaching style that fits our organization’s goals and vision.’
NHL coaching hires
The New York Rangers hired Mike Sullivan on May 1.
The Anaheim Ducks hired Joel Quenneville on May 8.
The Vancouver Canucks (Adam Foote) and Philadelphia Flyers (Rick Tocchet) hired coaches on May 14.
NHL coach openings
Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Pittsburgh Penguins and Seattle Kraken.
(This story has been updated to add new information.)