After playing 19 seasons as a defenseman with the Colorado Avalanche, Adam Foote retired and went into coaching.
Foote was named an assistant coach for the Vancouver Canucks in January 2023, reporting to head coach Rick Tocchet. Tocchet resigned on April 29, 2025, and was named head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers. On May 14, 2025, GM Patrik Allvin elevated Foote to the top position.
Foote took over a 90-point club that had gone 38-30-14 in the regular season but finished fifth in the Pacific Division.
His time was not successful. Under Foote, the Canucks finished with 58 points and the NHL’s worst record of 25-49-8, placing last in the Pacific Division.
New GM Ryan Johnson, recruited on May 14, immediately began restructuring the business. Johnson sacked Foote and assistant coaches Scott Young, Kevin Dean, and Brett McLean five days after taking over, the club said Tuesday.
“It was a challenging year on numerous counts, and frankly, Adam and his crew were given a very terrible hand,” Johnson said in a statement. “That said, as we prepare to rebuild, our organization believes that new coaching voices are required to design the way forward. Creating the appropriate environment and culture is critical for building genuine and strong relationships across the company. At the start of next season, our coaches will have to work hard to inculcate in our players the qualities and behaviors that they will depend on in the future. The process of hiring new personnel begins immediately. ”
Foote played 1,154 regular-season games in 19 NHL seasons, capturing two Stanley Cups with the Avalanche. He began his career with the Quebec Nordiques before the team moved to Colorado in 1995. Following the 2004-05 lockout, Foote joined the Columbus Blue Jackets and played with them for three seasons before being traded back to the Avalanche in February 2008.
Over his NHL career, Foote scored 66 goals and contributed 242 assists for a total of 308 points, with 259 coming with the Avalanche. In 170 career playoff games, he had 42 points with seven goals and 35 assists.
