Vancouver Canucks first-round draft pick Caleb Malhotra, selected third overall in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, is participating in the team's development camp at Rogers Forum in Abbotsford, B.C., and has expressed an eagerness to begin his professional hockey journey. The 18-year-old centre is wearing jersey No. 27, a number with significant family history: his father, Manny Malhotra, who is now the Canucks' head coach, wore the same number during his tenure with the team from 2011 to 2013. Caleb Malhotra stated, I started wearing it in junior. I like No. 27. That's the plan, to wear it for the Canucks.
Development camp and 3-on-3 tournament
Development camp, which runs through Thursday, includes a 3-on-3 tournament scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on the final day. Malhotra views this week as a chance to compete against the top prospects in the Canucks system and to build connections within the organization. I want to get to know all the people at camp a lot better,
he said. He described his emotional state after being drafted: I think it's just a lot of excitement. When I put on the jersey, I felt all the stress go away — all the stress leading up to the draft. It just felt right. Now I can just go play and have fun. I just go back to work. There's not really much stress. There's an excitement to get going.
Path from junior hockey to NCAA
Malhotra's hockey journey began with the Chilliwack Chiefs of the BCHL, where he recorded 8 goals and 26 points in 44 regular-season games two seasons ago, and added 5 goals and 17 points in 21 playoff contests. Last season, he moved to the OHL's Brantford Bulldogs, tallying 29 goals and 84 points in 67 regular-season games, and elevated his performance in the playoffs with 13 goals and 26 points in 15 games. On Tuesday, Malhotra reiterated his intention to play for Boston University Terriers in the NCAA this fall, joining Canucks prospects defenceman Aiden Celebrini, 21, and forward Niklas Aaram-Olsen, 18. The NCAA recently opened scholarship opportunities to major junior players, a change that influenced Malhotra's move to the OHL; he indicated he likely would have remained in Chilliwack if the rules had not changed.
Future plans and NHL aspirations
Malhotra's immediate plan after development camp is to return to his family home in Ontario for training. He typically skates with junior players but noted, Now, we're starting to see a lot of AHL guys and a couple of NHL guys.
When asked about the possibility of making the Canucks' opening night roster — as last year's first-round pick Braeden Cootes did — Malhotra emphasized his commitment to development at Boston University. I'm going to try to become the best player I can before I step into the NHL — developing and trying to become the best player I can at Boston,
he said. Going to school was always a plan for me. I have a lot of trust in that program and that coaching staff. I've talked to a lot of college guys about how much fun they've had and how they thought it helped their journey.
To be eligible for the NHL immediately, Malhotra would need to sign a contract, which would void his NCAA eligibility. He plans to take a developmental path through college hockey.
No. 27 legacy with Canucks
No. 27 has been worn by 26 players in Canucks history. Defenceman Derek Forbort, who wore the number the past two seasons, played only two games last season due to injuries and is now an unrestricted free agent. Defenceman Harold Snepsts, who spent 12 seasons over two stints with Vancouver and is eighth in club history in regular-season games (781), is the team's most notable No. 27. Caleb Malhotra aims to add his own chapter to that legacy.
