Vancouver Canucks announce updates to coaching staff

By Noah Lavoie — 10 July 2026 — 3 min read

Canucks finalize coaching staff

The Vancouver Canucks have announced several updates to their coaching staff, naming Ryan Mougenel, Jordan Smith, and Jason Krog as assistant coaches. Additionally, Andrew Shaw will serve as assistant to the video coach. These appointments were confirmed by Canucks General Manager Ryan Johnson.

Johnson emphasized the organization’s focus on finding quality individuals who are effective teachers and possess strong hockey knowledge. He stated that the assembled group is expected to help build a solid foundation, connect with both veteran and younger players, and implement the system and style of play desired by Head Coach Manny Malhotra. Johnson also expressed excitement for the new additions and noted Krog’s well-deserved promotion.

New assistant coaches bring diverse experience

Ryan Mougenel joins the Canucks after spending eight seasons with the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League (AHL), where he served as head coach for the last five seasons. He was recently recognized with the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award as the AHL Coach of the Year. Under his leadership, the Bruins achieved the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy with a record of 54-16-2-0 (110 points) this past season, marking one of the highest points percentages in AHL history. Mougenel’s coaching career also includes stints with the San Jose Sharks organization, specifically with the San Jose Barracuda and Worcester Sharks, and one season with the Hershey Bears. Before his AHL tenure, he spent eight seasons in the ECHL, including roles as head coach and general manager for the Las Vegas Wranglers.

Jordan Smith transitions to the Canucks after two seasons as an assistant coach with the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL), where he contributed to the team’s Calder Cup victory in the 2024.25 season. His previous experience includes two seasons with the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL). Prior to his time in the AHL, Smith was an associate coach in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) for five seasons, split between the Soo Greyhounds and Sudbury Wolves. He also served as head coach for the Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League (NOJHL) from 2013.14 to 2016.17, earning NOJHL Coach of the Year in back-to-back seasons (2013.14 and 2014.15) and guiding the Thunderbirds to an NOJHL Championship in 2015.16.

Jason Krog receives a promotion to assistant coach, having previously served as a skills and skating coach for both the Vancouver Canucks and Abbotsford Canucks for the past two seasons. Before his coaching career, Krog played professionally for 18 seasons, including parts of nine seasons in the NHL with teams such as the New York Islanders, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Atlanta Thrashers, New York Rangers, and Vancouver Canucks. He also played parts of nine seasons in the AHL, where he won the Les Cunningham Award as the AHL’s Most Valuable Player, the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as AHL Playoff MVP, and the Calder Cup in 2007.08 with Chicago.

Shaw promoted to assistant to video coach

Andrew Shaw, who spent the previous two seasons as the video coach for the Abbotsford Canucks and was part of their Calder Cup-winning staff in 2024.25, has been appointed assistant to the video coach for the Vancouver Canucks. Before his time in Abbotsford, Shaw held various coaching roles, including video coach, assistant coach, and associate coach, with the Chilliwack Chiefs and Prince George Spruce Kings of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). Shaw will work alongside current Canucks video coach Ian Beckenstein. The organization also announced that former Assistant to the Video Coach Evan Mathias is no longer with the team.

The full coaching staff for the 2026.27 season includes Manny Malhotra as Head Coach, Ryan Mougenel, Jordan Smith, and Jason Krog as Assistant Coaches, Marko Torenius as Goaltending Coach, Ian Beckenstein as Video Coach, and Andrew Shaw as Assistant to the Video Coach.

Source: nhl.com