Former Colorado Avalanche legend Adam Foote has officially been named the 22nd head coach in Vancouver Canucks franchise history. The team made the announcement on Wednesday, marking a major career step for Foote, who had been serving as an assistant coach in Vancouver since January 2023. He takes the reins following the team’s decision to part ways with Rick Tocchet after missing the playoffs this past season.
Foote is best known for his rugged, reliable presence on the blue line during a long and decorated NHL playing career. A foundational piece of the Avalanche from the team’s first season in Colorado (1995-96) through 2004—and again from 2008 to 2011—Foote helped lead the Avs to two Stanley Cups in 1996 and 2001. His No. 52 was retired by the franchise in 2013, now hanging proudly in the rafters at Ball Arena.
Over his 17-year NHL career, Foote compiled 56 goals and 203 assists while building a reputation as one of the league’s toughest defenders. After hanging up his skates, he stayed in the game, coaching as a defensive assistant with the Avalanche from 2011 to 2017. He then served as head coach of the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets from 2018 until 2020 and later spent time in Avalanche broadcast roles before joining the Canucks staff.
Foote now joins fellow Avs great Patrick Roy in the NHL head coaching ranks—Roy currently leads the New York Islanders. Colorado fans will no doubt be rooting for Foote’s success behind the bench, so long as it doesn’t come at the Avs’ expense.