The Vancouver Canucks have selected Caleb Malhotra as the third overall pick in the National Hockey League draft, a move that places him under the coaching of his father, Manny Malhotra, who was recently named the team’s head coach. This marks a notable instance of a father and son being part of the same NHL organization in these roles.
Joann Malhotra, Caleb’s mother and Manny’s wife, reflected on their past experiences with this dynamic, recalling a time when Caleb was around ten years old. She mentioned that early coaching interactions led to disagreements, prompting her to intervene. Following this, a system was established where Caleb would decide if he wanted to interact with Manny as his father or as his coach, a method Joann stated worked effectively.
The selection of Caleb Malhotra by the Canucks occurred four weeks after Manny Malhotra was appointed head coach. Ryan Johnson, the new general manager for the Canucks, emphasized that the decision to draft Caleb was based on his merits as a player. Johnson stated that the team drafted Caleb Malhotra, not solely the coach’s son, and that the potential variable of playing for his father was not a factor in the selection process.
Caleb Malhotra, an 18-year-old centre known for his two-way play and leadership qualities, expressed his surprise and gratitude for being drafted by the Canucks. He noted the personal and emotional connection he has with the organization. The selection followed Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg, who were drafted first and second by Toronto and San Jose, respectively.
Before joining the Canucks, Caleb Malhotra is committed to attending Boston University next season. In his single Ontario Hockey League season with the Brantford Bulldogs, he recorded 84 points in 67 games, adding 26 points in 15 playoff games. He also scored 29 goals and 55 assists in 67 games with the Bulldogs last season.
The Canucks also drafted Adam Novotny, a goal-scoring Czech winger, with the 24th pick. This marks the first time since 2014 that Vancouver has selected two players in the first round of the draft. Johnson and Manny Malhotra did not discuss the team’s intentions regarding Caleb before the first round of the draft.
Manny Malhotra shared his perspective on coaching his son, noting the difference between coaching a young child and an aspiring professional. He explained that as Caleb matured, his receptiveness to his father’s coaching advice evolved. Manny highlighted that when they are at the arena, Caleb is treated like any other player, and outside the arena, their conversations revert to a father-son dynamic.
Joann Malhotra expressed confidence that the father-son dynamic would succeed in the NHL, drawing parallels to their earlier experiences in spring hockey. She acknowledged the complexity of the situation but believes in their integrity and ability to navigate the challenges. She also mentioned that Caleb’s journey to the NHL has been a shared experience with his father, with both working their way up through their respective paths in hockey.
The Malhotra family has strong ties to Vancouver; Caleb was born there, and the family often returned for summers. Joann is the younger sister of Steve Nash, a basketball Hall-of-Famer, and her brother Martin played professional soccer in Vancouver. Caleb’s selection at third overall surpasses Manny’s draft position, who was picked seventh by the New York Rangers in the 1998 draft.
Caleb was five years old when the family moved from Vancouver to Carolina in 2013 after Manny sustained an eye injury. The family later moved to Montreal, where Manny’s NHL career concluded, before settling in Toronto. Joann emphasized that Caleb earned his draft position independently, stating that he deserved the moment without his parents overshadowing his achievement.
The Canucks finished the past season with a 25-49-8 record, which was a league-worst performance. This outcome led to them having a top pick in the draft. Caleb Malhotra’s selection is expected to contribute to the team’s rebuilding efforts.
Caleb Malhotra’s selection made history for the Brantford Bulldogs, as he became the highest-drafted player from the team, surpassing Jake O’Brien, who was picked eighth a year prior. This marks the third consecutive year that the Bulldogs have had a player selected in the first round of the draft, with Marek Vanacker being picked 27th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks.
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Source: sportsnet.ca
As CasinoNews's Sports News Writer, Mason Leclair reports on the CFL, golf and combat sports for readers across the country. He moved from regional papers into digital sport. He holds a degree in Journalism from Carleton University. Mason lives in Ottawa, where he follows the PGA Tour and mixed martial arts. “Get the facts down first, then add the context.”
