The Abbotsford Canucks have hired Ryan Papaioannou as their new head coach. He takes over from Manny Malhotra, who was named head coach in Vancouver on June 2.
Papaioannou, 42, just finished his first season in professional coaching. He guided the ECHL's Wheeling Nailers to a division title and a conference finals appearance during the 2025-26 campaign.
Before that, he spent 16 seasons as head coach and general manager of the Junior A Brooks Bandits in the Alberta Junior Hockey League and British Columbia Hockey League. The Calgary native led the team to eight league championships and four national titles.
Papaioannou compiled a 907-217-48 record with Brooks. He earned coach of the year honors three times and posted at least 50 wins in a season on six occasions.
