Looks like the Canucks are turning to a familiar face behind the bench. After Rick Tocchet’s contract quietly ran out at the end of the season, Vancouver decided to stay in-house and who better than NHL veteran and longtime assistant Adam Foote ? He’s officially been named the team’s 22nd head coach, and this move might just bring the grit and structure the Canucks have been missing.
Vancouver Canucks name Adam Foote head coach as Rick Tocchet exits after contract ends
After a tough 2024–25 season where the Canucks missed the playoffs, the front office opted for a leadership change. Rick Tocchet, who had led the squad for the past few seasons, didn’t return once his contract expired. In his place, Adam Foote, who’s been an assistant coach with the team for three seasons has earned the promotion.
This isn't just a random shake-up. Foote already knows the locker room, the players, and the system. And according to GM Patrik Allvin, that's exactly the point. They wanted someone who can “build on our structure, add accountability, and bring a detailed approach” and Foote checks all the boxes.
Sure, this will be just Foote’s second head coaching gig—the first being a short stint with the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets back in 2019. But his NHL résumé? Stacked.
Foote played 19 seasons in the league, mostly with the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche franchise. He was known for his tough, stay-at-home defense and wore the ‘A’ and ‘C’ throughout his career. Oh, and he’s got two Stanley Cups (1996 and 2001) to his name.
Canucks fans are furious over Adam Foote hire: “Did the players even have a say?”
Social media lit up after the announcement and as always, Canucks fans did not hold back.
Adam Foote’s promotion is both a safe move and a bold one. He knows the team but now he needs to prove he can lead them. Whether this experiment works or flames out spectacularly, one thing’s for sure: fans will be watching very closely.
Also read - Auston Matthews and his fans got emotional as his mother opened up about the financial struggles of getting him into hockey
Vancouver Canucks name Adam Foote head coach as Rick Tocchet exits after contract ends
Adam Foote has been named head coach of the @Canucks. pic.twitter.com/EKsGrARwc7
— NHL (@NHL) May 14, 2025
After a tough 2024–25 season where the Canucks missed the playoffs, the front office opted for a leadership change. Rick Tocchet, who had led the squad for the past few seasons, didn’t return once his contract expired. In his place, Adam Foote, who’s been an assistant coach with the team for three seasons has earned the promotion.
This isn't just a random shake-up. Foote already knows the locker room, the players, and the system. And according to GM Patrik Allvin, that's exactly the point. They wanted someone who can “build on our structure, add accountability, and bring a detailed approach” and Foote checks all the boxes.
Sure, this will be just Foote’s second head coaching gig—the first being a short stint with the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets back in 2019. But his NHL résumé? Stacked.
Foote played 19 seasons in the league, mostly with the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche franchise. He was known for his tough, stay-at-home defense and wore the ‘A’ and ‘C’ throughout his career. Oh, and he’s got two Stanley Cups (1996 and 2001) to his name.
Canucks fans are furious over Adam Foote hire: “Did the players even have a say?”
Social media lit up after the announcement and as always, Canucks fans did not hold back.
Fired in two years, tops
— USF Muscovy (@SoFloMuscovy) May 14, 2025
Isn’t his son in court or am I thinking of someone else?
— Olivia Wilkinson (@OliviaWilk21883) May 14, 2025
As someone who hates the canucks I hope he coaches as well as he raises kids 😊
— McDusty (@McDusty_69) May 14, 2025
UHHH REALLY?!
— 🇨🇦Leafsgirl731🇨🇦 (@NTL731) May 14, 2025
😔 Did the players have a say in this?
still wild to me how nhl teams keep recycling the same 15 guys like there's no other humans on earth 💀
— Fernanda ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂)⸝♡ (@wontonpoo1) May 14, 2025
Adam Foote’s promotion is both a safe move and a bold one. He knows the team but now he needs to prove he can lead them. Whether this experiment works or flames out spectacularly, one thing’s for sure: fans will be watching very closely.
Also read - Auston Matthews and his fans got emotional as his mother opened up about the financial struggles of getting him into hockey
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