Former Avalanche Great Adam Foote Lands Head Coaching Gig in Vancouver

The Vancouver Canucks didn’t look far to find their new head coach.

Following the departure of Rick Tocchet, who is expected to take over as head coach in Philadelphia, the Canucks, led by president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford, have named Adam Foote as the team’s 22nd head coach in franchise history.

Foote spent the last 2+ years serving as an assistant on Tocchet’s staff. It helped immensely that team captain Quinn Hughes is a big fan of Foote’s work with the team and wanted him to stick around.

When Tocchet took over in Vancouver in 2023, he named Foote as an assistant and the leader of the team’s defense. At the time, Foote was helping Altitude TV and was around the Avalanche quite a bit. I remember he would randomly appear at morning skates or games, and then he was suddenly on his way to Vancouver with the new staff that took over for Bruce Boudreau.

Foote had helped the Avs at training camps in the past but didn’t have much coaching experience behind a bench at the pro level before landing his gig on Tocchet’s staff.

The veteran defenseman, who has his jersey hanging from the rafters at Ball Arena, was a longtime Avalanche great and won two Stanley Cups with Colorado in 1996 and 2001.

He’s yet another former Av from the first golden era who remains in a prominent position around the game today.

Joe Sakic is the president of hockey operations in Colorado.

Chris Drury is the general manager of the New York Rangers.

Rob Blake was just let go as general manager in Los Angeles.

Alex Tanguay is an assistant coach for the Detroit Red Wings — and very good at what he does.

Patrick Roy is the head coach of the New York Islanders.

Dan Hinote is the associate head coach for the AHL’s Colorado Eagles.