Vancouver Canucks' Conor Garland Breaks Silence on Team's Decision to Name Adam Foote Head Coach

It's been three weeks since the Vancouver Canucks made the decision to promote Adam Foote to the role of Head Coach after parts of three seasons on the bench as an Assistant.

Adam Foote is going to have plenty of work to do with this roster in order to help them return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs next season and it looks like the Canucks players are quite happy with his appointment as Head Coach, especially forward Conor Garland.

Conor Garland was one of Vancouver's best forwards during the 2024-25 campaign, which was a tough one for the team overall for numerous reasons and after the season ended, he headed to the 2025 IIHF World Championship to represent the United States as he looked to end his season on a high.

Garland played a big role for the United States, registering ten points (five goals, five assists) in ten games, helping his nation win the gold medal, their first at the World Championship in 93 years.

Just a few days after winning the gold medal, Garland was a guest on The People's Show/Canucks Brunch where he opened up on the team's decision to name Adam Foote as their next Head Coach.

Garland was quite happy with the hiring, saying that he loved having Foote as an assistant, that he's a great hockey mind and has plenty of playing experience which will be helpful for himself and others when seeking advice about their on-ice play.

Even though Garland is excited to play under Adam Foote's leadership for the 2025-26 season, it could be for only one year as the 29-year-old is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st, 2026 and there's been some uncertainty about his future with the club and although the team would like to keep him, it doesn't seem likely that an extension will be signed this summer.

Source: The People's Show/Canucks Brunch - Sportsnet 650
Canucks Brunch: Conor Garland on Adam Foote, Playing in Vancouver & Winning Gold