The Vancouver Canucks selected center Caleb Malhotra with the third overall pick in the first round of the NHL Draft on Friday, June 26, 2026.
The selection creates a unique family dynamic within the organization, as Caleb will join the franchise currently coached by his father, first-year head coach Manny Malhotra.
Despite the familial connection, the younger Malhotra clarified that his father intentionally removed himself from the front office evaluation process leading up to the draft selection.
"He knew nothing," said Caleb Malhotra.
The newly drafted forward explained that the decision allowed the family to experience the event without extra pressure or inside information.
"We both knew nothing.
He wanted to be in the dark, and they made sure he was in the dark about it just so he didn't have to worry about it.
We both could just go through this draft process as a family. We were both just as clueless as anybody else," said Caleb Malhotra.
Canucks GM Praises Malhotra's Versatility
Canucks General Manager Ryan Johnson expressed strong satisfaction with securing Malhotra at the number three spot, noting that the player had separated himself from several defensive options available on the board.
"He brings a bit of everything," said Ryan Johnson.
Johnson highlighted the young forward's recent development across different leagues as a primary indicator of his long-term potential in the professional ranks.
"Obviously his progression last two years of playing in Chilliwack and playing against older, mature men and then going into the OHL, and the progression from day one to where he is now was, watching that, you know, that the ceiling is extremely high, he still has ways to grow and to evolve as a player, but good player, great human being, leadership qualities," said Johnson.
According to the general manager, the front office team solidified their draft strategy during an extensive organizational meeting the night before the event.
"We had a long discussion last night — with the amateur staff and our management team — about what's important, about the vision of what we're trying to build here, and I think when we walked out of there, I said to them, if that's who we end up with tomorrow at number three, we've taken a big huge step in accomplishing that," said Ryan Johnson.
Canucks Also Select Adam Novotny at 24th Overall
Later in the first round, Vancouver utilized the 24th overall selection to draft Czech winger Adam Novotny from the Peterborough Petes, emphasizing a desire to add competitive character to the roster.
"Part of our discussion into late last night was drafting winners, and he was a guy that we targeted," said Ryan Johnson.
Johnson praised Novotny for his physical maturity, skating ability, and established professional habits at a young age.
"He exudes winner, compete, along with obviously a skill set, the amount of goals he scored, his size, he's already very physically mature the way he skates.
It was a player that we felt that at 24 we were extremely lucky to get, and again he's got pro habits at a young age.
So we just excited to continue to grow, watch him, he'll head back to Peterborough next year and continue his development," said Johnson.
The draft also featured notable movements from other franchises, including San Jose trading up to the 21st pick to acquire defenseman Ryan Lin, whose defensive capabilities have drawn high praise from coaching staff.
"He's like a Drew Doughty," said Coach Patrick Burgess.
Burgess elaborated on Lin's rare ability to dominate defensively while maintaining elite skating and puck skills as a young prospect.
"He actually impacts the game even more defensively than offensively. And how many 17-year-old kids who are 'offensive defencemen,' are also one of the best defenders?
I think the things that pop off to you when you first watch him are the skating, the puck skills, the smoothness with how he does things.
What's undervalued in his game is his ability to defend, with the way he can close with his feet, his stick details, his willingness to be physical," said Burgess.
Reflecting on his selection, Malhotra also mentioned his choice of walk-up music, noting its connection to his previous team, the Brantford Bulldogs.
"I wanted to hear it one more time," said Caleb Malhotra.
Malhotra, who is committed to playing at Boston University next season, enters an organization where his father previously played as a defensive specialist and fan favorite.
