Manny Malhotra
Two-way forward and faceoff specialist over 18 NHL seasons.
Manny Malhotra is a Canadian ice hockey coach and former player who currently serves as head coach of the Vancouver Canucks. Over an 18-year NHL playing career, he lined up at centre for the Canucks, Montreal Canadiens, Carolina Hurricanes, San Jose Sharks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, and New York Rangers. Known as a reliable two-way forward, he won more than 56 percent of his NHL faceoffs.
Malhotra was selected seventh overall by the Rangers in the 1998 NHL draft after two seasons with the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League, where he served as captain in his final year. With Guelph, he won the J. Ross Robertson Cup and played in the 1998 Memorial Cup, earning the Bobby Smith Trophy, George Parsons Trophy, and a spot on the Memorial Cup All-Star Team.
He played for the Rangers from 1998 to 2002, spending time with their AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, and winning a Calder Cup in 2000. At the 2002 trade deadline, he was dealt to the Dallas Stars and spent parts of three seasons there. His offensive output increased after Columbus claimed him off waivers in 2003–04. After four seasons with the Blue Jackets, he signed a one-year contract with San Jose in September 2009, posting a career-high in goals. He then joined Vancouver on a three-year deal. In his first season with the Canucks, Malhotra suffered a severe left-eye injury requiring multiple surgeries. Despite significant vision loss, he returned that same year to play in the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals. He struggled with the injury until Vancouver placed him on injured reserve for the rest of the 2012–13 season in February 2013.
Internationally, Malhotra represented Canada at the under-18 level, two World Junior Championships, and one World Championship. He captained Canada to a bronze medal at the 2000 World Junior Championships.
As a junior, Malhotra played in the 1994 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Mississauga Reps. After his time in the Metro Toronto Hockey League, he was selected 17th overall in the 1996 OHL Priority Selection. In his rookie OHL season (1996–97), he scored 16 goals and 44 points in 61 games, adding 14 points in 18 playoff games as Guelph lost in the semi-finals. The next season, he improved to 16 goals and 51 points in 57 games while serving as captain and focusing on shutting down opponents’ top forwards.
- Born
- May 18, 1980
- Birthplace
- Canada
- Draft
- First round, seventh overall, 1998 NHL entry draft by the New York Rangers
- Nhl teams
- Montreal Canadiens, Carolina Hurricanes, Vancouver Canucks, San Jose Sharks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, New York Rangers
- Faceoff percentage
- over 56%
- Career length
- 18 years
- Position
- Centre
Lore & Background
Malhotra played two seasons in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Guelph Storm, serving as captain in his final year. He won a J. Ross Robertson Cup championship and appeared in the 1998 Memorial Cup, earning a Bobby Smith Trophy, George Parsons Trophy, and Memorial Cup All-Star honours. He was drafted seventh overall by the New York Rangers in 1998 and made the immediate jump from junior to the NHL at age 18, becoming the second player of Indian heritage to play in the NHL. After parts of four seasons with the Rangers, he was traded to the Dallas Stars at the 2001–02 trade deadline. He later played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks, and other teams. In his first season with Vancouver, Malhotra suffered a major injury to his left eye requiring several surgeries; despite losing significant vision, he returned the same year to compete in the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals. He struggled with the injury until Canucks management placed him on injured reserve for the remainder of the 2012–13 season in February 2013.
Reader's Guide
Malhotra's career is notable for his transition from a highly touted first-round pick to a reliable two-way forward and faceoff specialist. His faceoff proficiency, winning over 56% of his draws, made him a valuable asset on special teams and in defensive situations. Despite early expectations as an offensive player, he carved out an 18-year NHL career by adapting his game. His resilience was demonstrated after a severe eye injury in 2011; he returned the same season to play in the Stanley Cup Finals despite significant vision loss. Internationally, he captained Canada to a bronze medal at the 2000 World Junior Championships. As of his coaching career, he became head coach of the Vancouver Canucks.
Did You Know?
- He won a Calder Cup championship with the Hartford Wolf Pack in 2000.
- He served as team captain for Canada at the 2000 World Junior Championships, leading the team to a bronze medal.
- Malhotra won over 56% of faceoffs he took in the NHL.
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