Canucks reveal coaching staff changes

Vancouver Canucks General Manager Ryan Johnson announced on May 19 that Head Coach Adam Foote and Assistant Coaches Scott Young, Kevin Dean and Brett McLean have been relieved of their duties.  

The decision comes as the Canucks recorded a 25-49-8 record, one of the worst 82-game seasons in franchise history. Foote's termination comes after just one season behind the Vancouver bench; he was named the 22nd Head Coach in Vancouver Canucks history on May 14, 2025 after previously serving as the team’s Assistant Coach. Foote was often criticized for failing to assist in the development of young talent such as Elias Pettersson and Zeev Buium, while also overutilizing veterans like Evander Kane, Teddy Blueger and Kevin Lankinen.

During Foote’s tenure as an assistant, top league defenseman Quinn Hughes won the Norris Trophy before eventually moving on to be a member of the Minnesota Wild.

Johnson said the Vancouver organization is entering into a rebuilding year, and is seeking a new path forward.

“We would like to thank Adam, Scott, Kevin, and Brett for all the work they did for us this season,” said Johnson. “It was a challenging year on several fronts and truthfully, Adam and his staff were dealt a very difficult hand. That said, as we head into a rebuild, our group feels new coaching voices are needed to chart the path forward. Establishing the proper environment and culture is a vital first step in creating a solid and authentic connection throughout the entire organization. At the start of next season, our coaches will need to do a lot of work with our players, to instill in them the traits and habits they will rely on moving forward. The process to bring in a new staff begins immediately.” 

Vancouver Canucks relieve HC Adam Foote 

As previously referenced, Young, Dean and McLean were also fired.

General Manager Ryan Johnson announced today that Head Coach Adam Foote and Assistant Coaches Scott Young, Kevin Dean and Brett McLean have been relieved of their duties.

Scott Young moved into the role of Assistant Coach on June 5, 2025, after spending the past three seasons serving as Director of Player Personnel for the Vancouver franchise. Prior to his tenure with the organization, he spent five years as Director of Player Development for the Pittsburgh Penguins.   

Meanwhile, Dean was hired as an Assistant Coach on June 5, 2025 after formerly serving as an Assistant Coach with the Chicago Blackhawks, where he spent three seasons working with the team’s defenseman. He has been in the professional hockey coaching world for 19 seasons.

Brett McLean was hired by the Vancouver Canucks on June 5. Prior to joining the organization, he spent 2023 to 2025 as the Head Coach of the Minnesota Wild’s AHL affiliate, the Iowa Wild. Before his time in Iowa, he worked as an Assistant Coach with the Minnesota Wild for three seasons (2020-23).

This development comes after Johnson came to the defense of Foote in early May, but still remained non-committal on his future with the Canucks at that time.

“To evaluate off of last season, I think is pretty unfair,” Johnson had said.

Foote was 54 at the time of his termination.

The process in bringing in a new Vancouver coaching staff is to begin immediately.

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