The search for the new head coach of the Abbotsford Canucks continues, and one major name is off the board.

Per Donnie and Dhali – the Team’s Rick Dhaliwal, the Vancouver Canucks interviewed Kitchener Rangers head coach Jussi Ahokas for the Abbotsford bench boss position. According to Dhaliwal, Ahokas was offered the Abbotsford job, but turned it down.

Ahokas has served as head coach of the Ontario Hockey League’s Rangers since 2023. This past season, he led the team to an OHL Championship and its first Memorial Cup win in over two decades. The year prior, he was named the OHL Coach of the Year, after the team earned its first 100-point finish since the 2007-08 season.

Last month, it was reported by Dhaliwal that Ahokas was ‘on the radar’ for the open Abbotsford head coach position. The report was echoed by The Athletic’s Thomas Drance. Beyond his time in the OHL, Ahokas also boasts a wealth of coaching experience in his native Finland.

With Ahokas reportedly off the board, the search for a new coach for Vancouver’s AHL affiliate continues. Another potential candidate to keep an eye on is ex-Seattle Kraken assistant coach Jessica Campbell, after Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported in June that the Canucks “may have some interest” in her. Campbell departed the Kraken earlier this year after the expiration of her contract to “explore other coaching roles across the league.”

The Abbotsford bench boss position has been vacant since Manny Malhotra was promoted to Vancouver Canucks head coach back in June. Malhotra served as Abbotsford’s head coach for two seasons, leading the team to its first Calder Cup win in the 2024-25 season. This past season, Abbotsford failed to qualify for the postseason, as the club and its NHL counterpart dealt with a number of injuries to key players.

THE OFFSEASON SOCIAL CLUB HAS ARRIVED! The new era of Nation Gear starts here. Introducing the Nation Gear x Levelwear Offseason Social Club Collection — a limited edition collection built for the fans who know the sports lifestyle doesn’t stop. Designed for golf rounds, patio hangs, weekend trips, and every plan in between, this collection blends premium performance with everyday leisure. It’s versatile enough to dress up, comfortable enough to live in, and made for wherever the offseason takes you. Because being a sports fan isn’t a season — it’s a personality. Welcome to the club. Shop the Offseason Social Club now. nationgear.ca