Vancouver Canucks add three new assistant coaches and Gonchar's gone
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The Vancouver Canucks have made sweeping changes to their coaching staff.
Three new assistant coaches have joined Adam Foote’s staff: Kevin Dean, Brett McLean, and Scott Young. The announcement comes a day after news broke that Yogi Svejkovsky was bolting to Philadelphia, joining new Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet.
The Canucks also confirmed that defensive development coach Sergei Gonchar and video coach Dylan Crawford would not be back. Returning to the team next season are goaltending coach Marko Torenius, as well as Henrik and Daniel Sedin (player development coaches) and Jason Krog (skills and skating coach).
“The coaching search was a very thorough process as we wanted to find the best fit for our hockey club,” said Canucks GM Patrik Allvin. “Once Adam was hired, we set out on selecting a team of assistant coaches who are good teachers, good communicators, and good people. Footey has done a great job in assembling a well-rounded staff with a strong mix of experience and position-specific expertise. I am excited to watch this group come together and am ready to support them in every way I can to help them prepare for the upcoming season.”
The hiring of Dean was leaked two days ago. The 56-year-old from Madison, Wisconsin, has eight years of experience as an NHL assistant coach and will oversee the team’s defence. He spent five seasons with the Boston Bruins working with Bruce Cassidy before joining the Chicago Blackhawks under Luke Richardson.
Prior to coaching, Dean played 331 NHL games as a defenceman with New Jersey, Atlanta, Dallas, and Chicago.
“Putting this staff together was an enjoyable process and a rewarding experience,” said Foote. “I talked to a lot of great hockey people and formed many important relationships. I want to thank everyone for taking the time to help me through this exercise.
“The group that we have brought together is a great mix of hockey people. Kevin has an impressive resume, an intelligent hockey mind, and has helped develop a lot of good defencemen.”
The other two additions are more offensive-minded.
McLean is a native of Comox, BC and comes to the Canucks following eight years in the Minnesota Wild organization. The 46-year-old played 385 games as a centre with Chicago, Colorado, and Florida before turning to coaching in 2017.
He spent three years as an assistant with the AHL’s Iowa Wild following his playing career, before working under Dean Evason for three years in Minnesota. McLean returned to Iowa in 2023, spending the last two years there as a head coach.
McLean will run Vancouver’s power play.
“Brett and I met years ago and have stayed in touch, and I respect his hockey IQ,” Foote said of the McLean hire.
Young is a former teammate of Foote and scored 756 points during a 1,181-game playing career with Hartford, Pittsburgh, Quebec, Colorado, Anaheim, St. Louis, and Dallas. The 57-year-old joins Foote’s coaching staff after three years in the Canucks organization as director of player personnel.
“I have a long history with Scott, and we share a very strong bond. He has been in the organization for a few years and knows exactly how things work and what we need to do to be successful,” said Foote.
“Not only do I look forward to working with those guys, but I am also excited to continue my coaching partnership with Marko, Jason and the Sedins, who will still be very involved in the coaching and teaching process.”
Canucks coaching staff for 2025-26
- Adam Foote, head coach
- Kevin Dean, assistant coach
- Brett McLean, assistant coach
- Scott Young, assistant coach
- Marko Torenius, goaltending coach
- Ian Beckenstein, assistant video coach
- Jason Krog, skills and skating coach
- Daniel Sedin, player development coach
- Henrik Sedin, player development coach