Adam Foote was picked 22nd overall by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft, and he kicked off his NHL career in the 1991-92 season. He stuck with the franchise when it moved to Colorado, where he was a key player in the Avalanche’s Stanley Cup wins in 1996 and 2001. Foote went on to be the captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets before heading back to Colorado to wrap up his playing career in 2011.

After he retired, he moved into coaching and started out as a defensive coach for the Colorado Avalanche, where he worked from 2011 to 2017. He went on to become the head coach for the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets in the 2018-19 season. So, back in 2023, Foote came on board with the Vancouver Canucks as an assistant coach, working alongside Rick Tocchet. Once Tocchet left, Foote stepped up as head coach, marking the 22nd time someone has taken on that role in the franchise’s history.

Quinn Hughes, the captain of the Vancouver Canucks, once pointed out how great Foote was in the coaching department. While interacting on NHLonTNT, he mentioned, “Man, I could, it’s hard to break that one down but I just find like there’s a lot of coaches out there that, you know, scream and yell and they want to, you know, bully their players, intimidate their players and this is a guy that I would say coaches his defensemen. Coaches his players like he’d want his kids coached, and then on top of that, with all the experience he has and, you know, Rick said it before, he doesn’t, you know, think of himself as a coach.”

This really shows how much of an impact Adam Foote has had, not just on his own growth but also on the overall vibe within the Vancouver Canucks organization. Quinn Hughes, who has really come into his own as one of the NHL’s top defensemen, gave a shoutout to Foote for his distinctive coaching approach—it’s all about respect, empathy, and mentorship instead of intimidation. He compared Foote to other coaches who tend to yell or use tough tactics, highlighting that Foote coaches players the way he’d want his own kids to be treated.

Hughes points out that this kind of care and thoughtfulness really helps create a supportive environment. It’s a place where players can feel encouraged to grow, both personally and professionally. Hughes pointed out that Foote, together with head coach Rick Tocchet, views his role as more than just going after wins; he’s really focused on being a teacher and dedicated to long-term development. Hughes mentioned that this philosophy has really helped him see a noticeable improvement in his game over the past three seasons.

It seems like the Canucks’ internal culture, with this leadership in place, is all about continuous growth. They’re really aiming to help players become better versions of themselves as the season goes on, instead of just going after quick wins. Hughes has really stepped up his game while working with Foote, and this approach has clearly made a big impact. His comments give us a unique and honest look at the player-coach relationship that’s driving Vancouver’s comeback. So, what’s the Canucks GM saying about this?

Excited to have Adam Foote on board

The team is really excited to have him on board. Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin shared the news, highlighting Adam Foote’s leadership skills, teaching ability, and how well he fits with the team’s vision.

The GM said, “Adam is a strong leader, good teacher and person who knows what it takes to build a great culture and winning attitude. His past experiences on the ice have translated nicely into a coaching style that fits our organization’s goals and vision. He has worked extremely hard the past few years, gaining our players respect and trust for his strong communication and honest straight forward opinion.”

Foote’s promotion comes after he spent time as an assistant coach with the team since 2023. During that time, he really built up the respect and trust of the players thanks to his clear communication and no-nonsense style. The organization thinks that his knowledge of the team and his attention to detail in coaching will really help the Canucks get back to being competitive.