A Familiar Name for Canucks Fans to Watch in the 2026 Draft
Vancouver Canucks fans keeping one eye on the 2026 NHL Draft might want to start circling a familiar last name. Caleb Malhotra isn’t just putting together a strong season in junior — he’s doing it with a hockey background that will ring close to home.
Malhotra plays for the Brantford Bulldogs and is quietly becoming one of the more interesting first-year draft-eligible players in the CHL. Through 39 games, he’s sitting at 53 points, showing a blend of scoring touch and playmaking that usually takes young players longer to find. He’s not just producing — he’s driving play.
Caleb Is the Son of Manny Malhotra
The obvious connection, of course, is his father. Manny Malhotra was never the flashiest player in the NHL, but he carved out a long career by being innovative, reliable, and competitive. Those same traits now define his coaching. As head coach of the Abbotsford Canucks, Manny Malhotra guided the team to an AHL Calder Cup Championship last season, earning a reputation for structure, accountability, and detail.
It’s fair to wonder how much of that mindset has rubbed off on his son.
Scouts describe Caleb Malhotra as a “complete hockey package,” which usually means a player who does a lot of things well without needing the puck to validate his game. He’s 6-foot-1, moves well, competes hard, and reads the ice like someone who’s grown up around NHL systems and locker rooms. That shows up not just in his point totals, but in how consistently he impacts games.
Malhotra’s Play in November Helped Put Him on the Radar of NHL Scouts
His performance at the CHL–USA Prospects Challenge in November helped put him on more radars, but the foundation has been there all season. This isn’t a late heater or a name bump — it’s steady, repeatable play.
For Canucks fans, there’s no guarantee where Malhotra will land in the draft, or whether Vancouver will even be in a position to consider him. But as the 2026 class takes shape, this is one local storyline worth tracking. Hockey sense, work ethic, and NHL DNA don’t guarantee success — but they’re usually a good place to start.