Fresh Off Draft Night: Caleb Malhotra and Adam Novotný Join Canucks Insider Podcast

With the third overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, the Vancouver Canucks selected centre Caleb Malhotra from the OHL’s Brantford Bulldogs. 

Malhotra hugged his family after hearing his name called, taking in the moment. It was a full-circle moment for him, growing up in Vancouver and watching his dad, Vancouver Canucks Head Coach Manny Malhotra, play in Vancouver.  

Being drafted to the club was an unmatched feeling for the 18-year-old. 

“I've never felt anything like it. So much relief, joy, and gratitude,” Malhotra said. 

“It’s literally something you dream of. To me specifically as a kid, seeing all the players and wearing their jerseys and being around the rink, watching my dad, [and] being a fan of his, and now I'm playing for the same team – I'm so grateful for this opportunity.” 

Malhotra describes himself as a reliable two-way player and a playmaker who has learned everything he knows about faceoffs from his dad.

He talked about his training plans for the summer and what went into his decision to attend Boston University in the fall.  

“Obviously, the pedigree and the prestige of the program, how many people have come through there and been successful through there,” Malhotra said. “So, their coaching staff was a big part of that, that's the main reason.” 

His focus at BU is building a dominant game, taking his offensive game to another level, and showing his physicality.  

He’s not worried about his dad being the head coach. Following his dad’s professionalism, his focus will be on working hard and helping the team win. 

“We're both very professional at the rink. First and foremost, he's dad, but when I get to the rink, I'm going to be the best player I can be, and I can trust that he's going to help me get there. So, with him as a coach, I think the Canucks have every chance of being a winning team, and I want to help that organization get there,” Malhotra said. 

At the 24th pick, the Canucks selected forward Adam Novotný, coming from the OHL’s Peterborough Petes. He scored 65 points (34-31-65) in 58 regular-season games. 

As the Hradec Kralove, Czechia native has spent this past year playing in Canada, he was thrilled to be drafted by a Canadian team. Putting on the blue, green, and white, he’s looking forward to getting acquainted with the city of Vancouver. 

“I haven't been there, honestly, but I’ve only heard really good things about Vancouver. I heard it is such a beautiful city, so I'm excited to go there, for sure. I heard that the nature is so beautiful there, so it’s a good way to explore,” Novotný said.

He feels his decision to play in the OHL and experience North American hockey was important for his development this past year. He learned physicality in the Czech pro league, his coaches encouraging him to be hard to play against, something he learned young at 15 years old. 

“I was actually 15 and while the coach told me to come practice with us, and you might be playing on Friday, and I didn't believe it at all,” Novotný said. The day before the game, he actually told me, ‘Okay, you're playing tomorrow,’ and it was probably a hard time to fall asleep, because imagine when you're 15 and you're having a first game in pro, so that was that was crazy. The first shift, the pressure kind of falls down, and it was good, then I actually scored in my first game, that was really cool too.” 

He has represented the Junior Czechia team, winning bronze in 2025, and silver this past year. 

“It’s just such a pleasure to put the jersey on, play for your country, for your friends, families watching it, and waking up. It's just such an unbelievable feeling to just represent your country,” Novotný said. 

The 18-year-old shares what he brings as a player and also answers Faber’s rapid-fire round of questions. 

Watch the latest episode here:

For more information about the Canucks Insider Podcast, visit https://www.nhl.com/canucks/multimedia/podcast.