With the 2026 NHL Entry Draft in roughly a month, the Vancouver Canucks have a critical draft ahead. They own the third overall pick, following the NHL Draft Lottery. Caleb Malhotra is someone the Canucks are interested in. However, the Canucks could hire a new head coach in Caleb’s father, Manny Malhotra. We will discuss the history of fathers coaching sons in the NHL, and the potential issues, should both Malhotras join Vancouver.
The History of Fathers Coaching Sons in the NHL
Fathers coaching sons in the NHL is extremely rare. In fact, the father/son, head coach/player relationship has only happened on seven occasions in the past. The list includes:
- Lester & Lynn Patrick (1934-1939, New York Rangers)
- Lester & Muzz Patrick (1937-1939, New York Rangers)
- Sid & Gerry Abel (1966-1967, Detroit Red Wings)
- Lynn & Craig Patrick (1974-1975, St. Louis Blues)
- Bernie & Dan Geoffrion (1979-1980, Montreal Canadiens)
- Bill & Kevin Dineen (1991-1993, Philadelphia Flyers)
- Dave & Adam Lowry (2021-2022, Winnipeg Jets)
Credit Image: © Steve Roberts/Cal Sport Media/Cal Sport Media
The most recent version of this story is Dave Lowry coaching his son, Adam, in the 2021-22 season, following Paul Maurice’s departure from the Winnipeg Jets. Dave Lowry, in an interview with the Winnipeg Free Press, had some notable quotes that described how difficult it can be to coach their own son on an NHL team.
“(Adam) is a leader, everyone knows that. But, realistically, he lost his voice last year in the room,” said Lowry. It is notable that Adam Lowry became an alternate captain the season after his father left the organization, and became the Jets captain the year after that. There is certainly a concern for nepotism to enter the locker room, which can be a slippery slope. Elliotte Friedman, on May 20th’s 32 Thoughts Podcast, reported what a Jets player had described the situation as one day. He explained it that imagine you are having a bad day, and sometimes you just want to vent about the coach. Obviously, it would prove to be tougher to do so if the coach’s son were also present.
Adam Lowry also discussed this situation with Sara Orlesky in December 2023 as part of Winnipeg’s Home Ice video series. “I think it wasn’t an ideal situation for either of us. It put me in a tough spot. It put him in a tough spot. It put the players in kind of a tough spot,” said Lowry.
Would a Father/Son Relationship Stop the Canucks From Drafting Caleb Malhotra?
Knowing the history of a father/son, coach/player relationship in the NHL, would that make the Canucks reconsider drafting Caleb Malhotra, or even hiring Manny Malhotra to be the next head coach? Certainly, you would think that Ryan Johnson and the Sedins would have a discussion with Malhotra about this, should they do interviews for the head coaching position. However, if Vancouver believes that Caleb and Manny Malhotra are the best people available for their respective roles, they should avoid the noise and go for them. The most important thing is to establish an environment where nepotism will not creep up.
Caleb Malhotra has established himself as a strong contender to get drafted in the top three in this year’s draft. He has had an excellent season in the OHL and a playoff run that really put him on the map. The Canucks are in desperate need of centre depth, as that is something they struggled mightily with in the 2025-26 season, with the loss of Pius Suter in the prior offseason and Filip Chytil’s continued injuries. Malhotra would be a fine pick at third overall, should Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg be taken at first and second overall.
Caleb Malhotra mixtape just dropped 🔥 #NHLDraft
(🎥: @BulldogsOHL & @OHLHockey) https://t.co/bekteFWgjq pic.twitter.com/NzFfeH2y43
— NHL (@NHL) May 3, 2026
In any case, this will be an interesting storyline to look out for going forward. Is it tenable for the Vancouver Canucks to bring in both Manny and Caleb Malhotra? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Main Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
