Vancouver Canucks tap Adam Foote for head coach

Adam Foote has been named as the new head coach for the Vancouver Canucks.

A former NHL player, Foote has been a head coach of the Kelowna Rockets in the Western Hockey League and served the past two seasons as an assistant on the bench under outgoing Canucks coach Rick Tocchet.

Tocchet and the team parted ways after a disappointing 2024-2025 season.

Foote and the Canucks agreed to a three-year deal, reported Rick Dhaliwal of CHEK News.

“Adam is a strong leader, good teacher and person who knows what it takes to build a great culture and winning attitude,” said general manager Patrik Allvin in a statement released by the team.

“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. Adam brings structure, accountability, and a detailed orientated 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.”

The 53-year-old spent the past two seasons working for the Canucks under Rick Tocchet. However, Tocchet left the team in April and is expected to be hired as head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers.

Now, it’ll be up to Foote to lead the Canucks after a tumultuous season featuring in-fighting resulted in missing the playoffs.

It marks Foote’s first career head-coaching job.