The Vancouver Canucks have chosen to promote from within for their next head coach.
Assistant coach Adam Foote has been appointed the new head coach of the Canucks, the team confirmed on Wednesday.
Foote has signed a three-year contract with the team.
In a statement, General Manager Patrik Allvin highlighted Foote`s suitability for the role, saying:
Adam is a strong leader, good teacher and person who knows what it takes to build a great culture and winning attitude. 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 Foote previously served as an assistant coach under Rick Tocchet for the past two seasons. Tocchet departed the team in April and is reportedly set to become the head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers.
Foote now faces the task of guiding the Canucks forward, following a challenging season marred by internal issues that resulted in the team missing the playoffs.
This appointment marks Foote`s first head coaching position in his career.
Commentary suggested the team prioritized a candidate eager for the opportunity. One observation noted:
I think they’re pretty comfortable with that. They want somebody who’s going to want this job, want this opportunity.
As a player, Foote had a distinguished 19-season NHL career as a defenseman from 1991 to 2011. He won two Stanley Cups with the Colorado Avalanche in 1996 and 2001. The veteran blueliner, a Toronto native, also played for the Quebec Nordiques and Columbus Blue Jackets. Over 1,154 career games, he tallied 66 goals and 242 assists, establishing himself as a reliable, defensive-minded player.
Tristan Blackwood