Mississauga hockey story unfolds as Canucks select coach’s son third overall

The Vancouver Canucks may have just written one of hockey’s most unusual family storylines — and it all circles back to Mississauga.

New Canucks head coach Manny Malhotra, a Mississauga native and former NHL veteran, was front and centre this week as the team selected his son, Caleb Malhotra, with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

The moment brought together two generations of hockey careers tied closely to the Malhotra family — and to the city where it all began.

Caleb, an 18-year-old centre from the Ontario Hockey League’s Brantford Bulldogs, was selected early in the draft after a breakout season that saw him emerge as one of the league’s top young two-way forwards. According to NHL.com, he ranked second among OHL rookies in goals, assists and points this past season.

“This is something I literally dreamed about,” Caleb said, according to NHL.com, after hearing his name called by the Canucks.

The selection also carries deep personal significance for the family. Manny Malhotra, who was hired as Vancouver’s head coach on June 1, spent part of his NHL playing career with the Canucks and remains closely connected to the organization. He was also a first-round NHL pick.

In comments to NHL.com, Manny said he chose not to know the team’s draft plans ahead of time, describing the experience as a moment to enjoy as a father rather than a coach.

“It’s for him, it’s all about him,” Manny said.

For Mississauga hockey fans, the story adds another layer to a long local legacy. Manny grew up in the city, developed his game with the Mississauga Reps and went on to play 991 NHL games over a 16-year career. He later transitioned into coaching, including assistant roles in Vancouver and Toronto before returning to the Canucks organization.

Caleb, meanwhile, now finds himself stepping into the same organization where his father once played — and now coaches — with the possibility that their professional paths could overlap even further in the years ahead.

Beyond hockey, the Malhotra family’s ties extend into Canadian sports royalty. Caleb is the godson of Canadian basketball legend Steve Nash, a relationship that developed through a long-standing friendship between Nash and the Malhotra family dating back to Manny’s playing days in Vancouver and shared connections within Canada’s professional sports community.

For now, though, both father and son are calling it a moment to remember.