Vancouver Canucks Clean House, Fire Head Coach Adam Foote and Entire Staff
VANCOUVER, BC — The Vancouver Canucks have dismissed Head Coach Adam Foote and Assistant Coaches Scott Young, Kevin Dean, and Brett McLean. General Manager Ryan Johnson announced the decision, citing the need for new coaching direction as the team enters a rebuilding phase.
A Season to Forget: The 2024-2025 Timeline
- The Fall: The Canucks finished last in the NHL standings for the 2024-2025 season.
- The Humiliation: The team was eliminated from playoff contention on March 22, becoming the first franchise to be mathematically eliminated.
- The Aftermath: The dismissal of the coaching staff was announced following the conclusion of the regular season.
Performance in a Tailspin
Following a trade involving defenseman Quinn Hughes on December 12—in which the Canucks acquired forwards Liam Ohgren and Marco Rossi, defenseman Zeev Buium, and a first-round draft pick from the Minnesota Wild—the team posted a record of 14 wins, 32 losses, and 5 overtime losses.
During this period, the Canucks averaged 2.56 goals per game, tied for 30th in the league, and recorded a league-worst goal differential of minus-100. Forwards Kiefer Sherwood and Conor Garland, as well as defenseman Tyler Myers, were traded prior to the NHL Trade Deadline on March 6.
The Dismissed Coaching Staff
- Adam Foote was named the 22nd head coach in franchise history on May 14, 2025. He previously served as an assistant coach with the Canucks from January 22, 2023. A 19-season NHL veteran, he won two Stanley Cups with the Colorado Avalanche (1996, 2001) and an Olympic gold medal with Team Canada (2002). He posted a 28-29-8-4 record coaching the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL from 2018 to 2020.
- Scott Young was promoted to assistant coach on June 5, 2025, after three years as Director of Player Personnel. He previously worked with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
- Kevin Dean was hired as assistant coach on June 5, 2025, following three seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks. He has 19 seasons of professional coaching experience.
- Brett McLean was hired on June 5, 2025. He previously served as head coach of the Iowa Wild (AHL) and an assistant with the Minnesota Wild.
Official Word
General Manager Ryan Johnson stated: "We would like to thank Adam, Scott, Kevin, and Brett for all the work they did for us this season… that said, as we head into a rebuild, our group feels new coaching voices are needed."
Speaking on April 14, Foote commented that he focuses on factors within his control regarding team distractions.
League-Wide Shakeup
Foote is the seventh NHL head coach dismissed this season.
Others who have been fired include Rick Bowness (Columbus Blue Jackets), D.J. Smith (Los Angeles Kings), John Tortorella (Vegas Golden Knights), Peter DeBoer (New York Islanders), Craig Berube (Toronto Maple Leafs), and Kris Knoblauch (Edmonton Oilers).