The Vancouver Canucks’ search for a new head coach in Abbotsford could include one of junior hockey’s most accomplished rising coaches.

During Monday’s edition of Donnie and Dhali, CHEK TV’s Rick Dhaliwal floated Kitchener Rangers head coach Jussi Ahokas as a possible name to monitor.

“Wouldn’t surprise me if the Canucks have interest in Kitchener Rangers, Memorial Cup-winning head coach Jussi Ahokas,” Dhaliwal said. “I don’t know Jussi, but he is a really good coach. He could be on the radar for the head coaching job in Abbotsford. Keep an eye on that.”

Later on Monday, The Athletic’s Thomas Drance echoed Dhaliwal’s reporting on Canucks Talk, adding what he saw from his viewings of Ahokas:

“Pretty impressive guy, by the way. I have covered a couple of his OHL games back when the Canucks had Hunter Brz in the prospect system. I talk about it sometimes, like there’s times where you’re watching CHL games, and you’re like, ‘Oh, that’s an NHL head coach in the CHL.’ And the year I saw Kitchener play twice live, Ahokas was in his rookie season, and that was already apparent.”

Ahokas has quickly built an intriguing coaching resume outside the NHL. The 45-year-old became the first European head coach in OHL history when he was hired by Kitchener in 2023. This past season, he guided the Rangers to the OHL Championship and the Memorial Cup title.

Before coming to North America, Ahokas coached extensively in his native Finland. He led the Fins to gold at the 2016 World Under-18 Championship and the 2019 World Juniors. He then won Liiga coach of the year honours for his work with the Kouvolan KooKoo, and later guided TPS to a silver medal.

The Canucks have shuffled their coaching staff this offseason. After relieving Adam Foote of his head coaching duties in Vancouver, new general manager Ryan Johnson promoted Abbotsford Canucks head coach Manny Malhotra to the bench boss of Vancouver. Ahokas is a name to watch to be Malhotra’s replacement in Abbotsford.