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Abbotsford Canucks hire Ryan Papaioannou as new Head Coach

Photo credit: Abbotsford Canucks

By Jacob Fraser

Jul 17, 2026, 19:21 EDT

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The search for Manny Malhotra’s replacement is over as the Abbotsford Canucks announced on Friday afternoon that 41-year-old Calgary native Ryan Papaioannou has been named the club’s fourth Head Coach in franchise history.

“We are very excited to welcome Ryan to the Canucks, as we know this hire will help shape the foundation for the development of our prospects in Abbotsford,” Abbotsford General Manager Richard Seeley said in a statement. “Ryan has a unique talent for teaching and relating with players. His preparation both technically and tactically has led him to outstanding accomplishments at the junior level, as well as an impressive first season in the ECHL. His reputation as a communicator and someone who holds individuals and teams to high standards are the exact qualities we are looking for in the leader of our team.”

Papaioannou is coming off his first season coaching professional hockey. He spent last year with the Wheeling Nailers, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) affiliate.

Before that, Papaioannou was the longtime Head Coach and General Manager of the Brooks Bandits in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) and the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), beginning as an assistant coach for the 2008-09 season before taking over head coaching duties for the team from the 2009-10 season till the 2024-25 season.

Last season, he led the Nailers to a 46-20-6 season. His 46 wins were the most for the franchise since 2003-04, and it was the first time the team had appeared in the third round since 2015-16. The team finished second in the ECHL’s Eastern Conference and at the top of their division, and ended its season in the conference finals of the ECHL playoffs.

During his time with the Bandits, Papaioannou won three Coach of the Year awards while leading the team to eight league championships across the AJHL and BCHL. He also led the team to four national championships.

Some notable players he coached while in the AJHL include Colorado Avalanche defenceman Cale Makar, Anaheim Ducks forward Jeff Malott and Canucks prospect Aiden Celebrini.

Prior to coaching, Papaioannou was a goaltender who spent two seasons in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Calgary Hitmen, the Lethbridge Hurricanes, and the Seattle Thunderbirds, as well as one season in Quebec with the Moncton Wildcats.