Foote’s confidence signals a new chapter for Canucks
There was a buzz in the air Thursday morning, May 15, as Adam Foote took the podium for the first time as the Vancouver Canucks' new head coach. Standing beside General Manager Patrik Allvin, Foote wasn’t just another bench boss, he brought a championship aura and an unmistakable edge rooted in years of elite defensive play.
Allvin spoke first, noting how swiftly the organization moved to find the right leader following Rick Tocchet’s departure. After interviewing several candidates, the GM said it became clear that Foote was the right fit to guide the Canucks forward.
Also read: Unstoppable Artūrs Šilovs delivers another shutout as Abbotsford Canucks seize Game 1 win over Colorado
“I interviewed a couple of former head coaches, assistant coaches, up-and-coming coaches and the deeper we got into this process — Adam being one of them — I felt really comfortable that Adam was the choice to lead this franchise moving forward,” Allvin said.
Foote’s vision centers on defence and supporting star talent
Foote, a Stanley Cup-winning defenceman with a gritty playing career behind him, is now tasked with returning playoff hockey to Vancouver. And he's embracing the opportunity to coach in a Canadian market where expectations and passion run high.
“The way hockey is huge here, I understood that a long time ago,” Foote said. “I always enjoyed playing here, and I love coaching here. This city wants to win, and it’s nothing but what we all want to do, so it’s very exciting times for me.”
The new Canucks head coach also touched on his early relationship with team captain Quinn Hughes, saying they shared “good laughs” during a Thursday morning conversation. Foote emphasized the importance of building a strong connection with players, especially stars like Elias Pettersson, who struggled this season.
“Petey and I had some pretty good discussions this year. I really think he wants it,” Foote said. “He’s got a great group around him, supporting him and being a team for him, and I’m going to make sure that I have that conversation with him and we continue that relationship.”
Also read: Jurors say they were mocked; know what led to the collapse of the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial
Building the right bench and a defensive foundation
As for his coaching staff, Foote and Allvin are still in discussions. They are open to bringing in fresh faces or experienced voices, with the priority being chemistry and fit.
“The guy that we want is the best for our situation, and works well with me,” Foote said. “In a perfect world, yeah, we want an experienced coach with us, that would be the ideal thing.”
On the ice, Foote sees the Canucks’ defensive depth as a major asset. He praised the team’s young defencemen and believes their development is key to future playoff success. While known as a defensive specialist, Foote hinted that fans might be surprised by his offensive vision, something rooted in his days lighting up lacrosse scoreboards.
With the Sedins involved in player development and the front office aligned behind him, Foote believes the Vancouver Canucks have the foundation needed to compete.
There was a buzz in the air Thursday morning, May 15, as Adam Foote took the podium for the first time as the Vancouver Canucks' new head coach. Standing beside General Manager Patrik Allvin, Foote wasn’t just another bench boss, he brought a championship aura and an unmistakable edge rooted in years of elite defensive play.
Allvin spoke first, noting how swiftly the organization moved to find the right leader following Rick Tocchet’s departure. After interviewing several candidates, the GM said it became clear that Foote was the right fit to guide the Canucks forward.
Also read: Unstoppable Artūrs Šilovs delivers another shutout as Abbotsford Canucks seize Game 1 win over Colorado
“I interviewed a couple of former head coaches, assistant coaches, up-and-coming coaches and the deeper we got into this process — Adam being one of them — I felt really comfortable that Adam was the choice to lead this franchise moving forward,” Allvin said.
Foote’s vision centers on defence and supporting star talent
Foote, a Stanley Cup-winning defenceman with a gritty playing career behind him, is now tasked with returning playoff hockey to Vancouver. And he's embracing the opportunity to coach in a Canadian market where expectations and passion run high.
“The way hockey is huge here, I understood that a long time ago,” Foote said. “I always enjoyed playing here, and I love coaching here. This city wants to win, and it’s nothing but what we all want to do, so it’s very exciting times for me.”
The new Canucks head coach also touched on his early relationship with team captain Quinn Hughes, saying they shared “good laughs” during a Thursday morning conversation. Foote emphasized the importance of building a strong connection with players, especially stars like Elias Pettersson, who struggled this season.
“Petey and I had some pretty good discussions this year. I really think he wants it,” Foote said. “He’s got a great group around him, supporting him and being a team for him, and I’m going to make sure that I have that conversation with him and we continue that relationship.”
Also read: Jurors say they were mocked; know what led to the collapse of the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial
Building the right bench and a defensive foundation
As for his coaching staff, Foote and Allvin are still in discussions. They are open to bringing in fresh faces or experienced voices, with the priority being chemistry and fit.
“The guy that we want is the best for our situation, and works well with me,” Foote said. “In a perfect world, yeah, we want an experienced coach with us, that would be the ideal thing.”
On the ice, Foote sees the Canucks’ defensive depth as a major asset. He praised the team’s young defencemen and believes their development is key to future playoff success. While known as a defensive specialist, Foote hinted that fans might be surprised by his offensive vision, something rooted in his days lighting up lacrosse scoreboards.
With the Sedins involved in player development and the front office aligned behind him, Foote believes the Vancouver Canucks have the foundation needed to compete.
