Photo: Rachel Lily Abramson
Ryan Papaioannou has been hired as the new head coach of the Abbotsford Canucks.
Papaioannou entered Manny Malhotranamed head coach in Vancouver on June 2.
Papaioannou, 42, completed his first professional coaching season in 2025-26, leading the ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers to a division title and a trip to the conference finals.
Prior to joining Wheeling, Papaioannou served as head coach and general manager of the Junior “A” Brooks Bandits for 16 seasons in the Alberta Junior Hockey League and British Columbia Hockey League. Under his leadership, the Bandits won eight league championships and four national championships. The Calgary native posted a 907-217-48 record with Brooks, scored at least 50 in a season six times, and was named coach of the year three times.
