Montreal Canadiens Coach’s Son Signs AHL Contract with Abbotsford Canucks

In a heartwarming twist of fate, Manny Malhotra, the new head coach of the Vancouver Canucks, recently experienced a moment that many fathers dream of: watching his son, Caleb, get drafted by an NHL team—specifically, his own. This unique milestone is rare, even among NHL veterans, and stands in contrast to the experience of Montreal Canadiens coach Martin St-Louis, whose son Ryan went undrafted once again.

However, the news took a positive turn for Ryan on Wednesday, as it was revealed that the 23-year-old has signed an AHL contract with the Abbotsford Canucks. Standing at 5-foot-10 and weighing 181 pounds, Ryan is a product of the U.S. National Team program. He spent one season at Northeastern in the NCAA before joining the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the USHL, where he served as an alternate captain and amassed an impressive 72 points in just 58 games. He later returned to the NCAA, playing for the Brown University Bears, where he scored 68 points over 83 games.

During his final season with the Bears, Ryan captained the team and recorded 15 points in 30 games, earning a nomination for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, although he did not make the top-10 finalists. Despite the disappointment of not being drafted, Ryan’s journey is a testament to perseverance, a trait his father embodies. Martin St-Louis, who himself went undrafted, enjoyed a remarkable NHL career, playing 1,134 games and tallying 1,033 points.

Reflecting on his own experience, St-Louis has often shared his journey with players at the Canadiens’ development camp, emphasizing that being drafted is only one pathway to the NHL. He encourages young athletes to make wise choices as they pursue their dreams. Guest coach Caroline Ouellette noted how engaged the players were during his speech, hanging on his every word—a valuable lesson that could resonate within the St-Louis household as they navigate this new chapter.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.