The Vancouver Canucks have a pair of new forwards to help lead their next chapter.
Three weeks after the Vancouver Canucks introduced Manny Malhotra as their new head coach, the organization brought things full circle by selecting top centreman — and Manny’s son — Caleb Malhotra with the third-overall pick Friday night.
It’s a special moment for both father and son, and for an organization taking its first steps forward with new leadership — and a new young star at centre.
Twenty-one slots after selecting Malhotra, the Canucks added another elite forward in Adam Novotný. The 24th overall pick brings a strong shot and big personality to a passionate hockey market looking for a reset.
Here’s what you need to know about Vancouver’s newest additions.
Third Overall: Caleb Malhotra
2025-26 Team: Brantford Bulldogs, OHL
Stat Line: 29G-55A-84PTS in 67 games
What you need to know about Malhotra:
The biggest story of this pick is the obvious family connection, and that’s incredibly special.
Rare, too:
But in addition to the remarkable father-son story now unfolding at the centre of Vancouver’s rebuild, the Canucks also just got themselves a remarkable talent. Malhotra was widely considered the top centreman on the draft board, and it’s easy to see why. He needed just one OHL season to launch himself into the top three of the 2026 draft class, ranking second league-wide in assists and producing at well over a point-per-game pace.
He really lit things up in the playoffs, registering 13 goals and 26 points in 15 post-season games with the Bulldogs. He led all league rookies in post-season production by a pretty wide margin.
He’s set to make the jump to the college circuit next season, having committed to Boston University.
Interesting fact:
You could say Malhotra was born to be a Canuck. He spent some of his formative years in Vancouver during dad Manny’s playing career there. But his athletic roots run even deeper, coming from both sides of the family. His mother, Joann, played college soccer at the University of Victoria. And his uncle? That’s legendary Canadian basketball star Steve Nash, two-time NBA MVP. Nash was part of the Malhotra family’s draft party in Buffalo, the proud uncle celebrating another incredible athletic achievement for the family.
24th Overall: Adam Novotný
2025-26 Team: Peterborough Petes, OHL
Stat Line: 34G-31A-65PTS in 58 games
What you need to know about Novotný:
Novotný knows how to make a strong first impression. In his rookie OHL season in Peterborough, the Czech forward registered 34 goals through 58 games — that tied him for second-most league-wide. His 65 points were fourth-most among draft-eligible OHLers in 2025-26. Looking back at his path, it’s clear he’s no stranger to new challenges. At 15 years old in 2023-24, he made his pro hockey debut in Czechia’s top league, where he was the youngest player to score a goal. He spent the 2024-25 campaign playing professionally in Czechia before making the jump to North America for his draft year.
Known for his elite skating, NHL-ready shot, and ability to play a physical game, Novotný also has a strong reputation when it comes to his character. Praised for being a great teammate at every stop and a strong culture-setter, Novotný is poised to be a fan-favourite once he makes the jump to the NHL.
Interesting fact:
Considered a big character guy, Novotný was praised by the Sportsnet panel for his enthusiasm in the weight room.
Maybe he can rally the Canucks for some darts tournaments, too — if his new teammates dare take him on, that is. Novotný plays darts competitively. His love for the game started when he happened to see it on television, and he took it and ran with it from there.
Novotný is the first Czech player selected in this year’s draft. The Canucks acquired this pick from the Minnesota Wild as part of the blockbuster deal that saw Quinn Hughes head to The State of Hockey.
ROUND 2
31st Overall: C Brooks Rogowski
2025-26 Team: Oshawa Generals , OHL
Stat Line: 15G-27A-42PTS in 46 games
The six-foot-seven Rogowski was one of the tallest players in the draft, and fell one pick short of making the first round. He played for the worst team in the OHL last season. The Michigan native has a commitment to Michigan State for the 2027-28 season.
41st Overall: RW Niklas Aaram-Olsen
2025-26 Team: Orebro HK, SHL and Swedish jr.
Stat Line: 20G-20A-40PTS in 29 games in jr.; 0G-0A-0PTS in 16 games in SHL
The Norwegian excelled at the junior level last season. Jason Bukala had him ranked 36th in his draft rankings. Aaram-Olsen is a goal scoring forward who plays fast. "He’s a threat off the rush with the puck on his stick and has the size, and drive, to take pucks to the net," Bukala wrote.
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