Vancouver, B.C. – The Vancouver Warriors announced today that Curt Malawsky has been named General Manager and Head Coach of the Vancouver Warriors. He becomes the third General Manager and third Head Coach in team history, replacing Troy Cordingley who served as Interim General Manager and Head Coach for Vancouver last season.
“From the outset, we wanted to bring in a difference maker and this is a very important day for the Vancouver Warriors franchise,” said Michael Doyle, President, Canucks Sports & Entertainment, Business Operations. “Curt is one of the most highly coveted coaches and front office personnel in the league and we are thrilled with his decision to join us in leading our team in Vancouver. His devotion to the sport and winning pedigree as a player, coach and manager will be a huge boost to the Warriors. Our commitment to him and his commitment to us, shows just how important it is to the both of us to build a championship caliber organization and team.”
“I would first like to thank the Calgary Roughnecks, all the players and staff, Roughnecks ownership and fans, and the city of Calgary for an incredible 16 years with the organization,” said Malawsky. “Not only was I fortunate enough to win multiple NLL Championships with them as a player and coach, but it was also there that I learned to play, teach, and win the right way.
“At the same time, I am extremely proud to take on this new opportunity in my home province with the Vancouver Warriors,” continued Malawsky. “In meeting with the Aquilini family, it was clear that we share the same values when it comes to working hard and earning every achievement. We are also aligned in our commitment to growing the game of lacrosse in British Columbia, both at the grassroots and professional levels, in order to leave the game in a better place than we found it. I am grateful for the opportunity to now be closer to my family and to help build a winning team right here in Vancouver.”
Malawsky, 53, joins the Warriors having spent the last 13 seasons in a front office and coaching capacity with the Calgary Roughnecks, most recently as Assistant General Manager and Head Coach. He initially joined the Roughnecks staff as in the summer of 2009 as an Associate Coach/Offence Coordinator and Assistant General Manager, shortly after the conclusion of his playing career which also finished in Calgary. During his first three seasons with the organization, the Roughnecks compiled a 33-15 regular season record, achieving two first-place division finishes and a second-place finish.
In the summer of 2012, Malawsky was promoted to Head Coach of the Roughnecks while retaining his title as Assistant General Manager. Since then, he has guided the club to a 90-80 regular season record, supplemented by eight of nine possible playoff appearances (14-11 record), two Championship Finals, and the 2019 NLL Championship. Last season, Malawsky won the Les Bartley Award for NLL Coach of the Year thanks to a franchise record 13-win campaign.
Prior to beginning his managerial and coaching career, Malawsky played 12 seasons in the NLL as a forward, splitting time between the Roughnecks, Arizona Sting, San Jose Stealth, Vancouver Ravens, and Rochester Knighthawks. In 159 career regular season games played, he registered 537 points (260-277-537), 103 penalty minutes, and 574 loose balls. Malawsky also appeared in 20 NLL playoff games during his career, posting 49 points (30-19-49) and winning one NLL Championship with the Calgary Roughnecks in his final playing season.
Malawsky has also been heavily involved in lacrosse in British Columbia, both at the professional and junior levels. Following his junior playing career with the Coquitlam Adanacs of the BCJALL, he played 13 seasons in the BC-based Western Lacrosse Association (WLA) with the New Westminster Salmonbellies, North Shore Indians, and Coquitlam Adanacs. A six-time WLA All-Star, he tallied 716 points (326-390-716) in 227 regular season games and an additional 410 points (179-231-410) in 137 playoff games, winning the 2001 Mann Cup with Coquitlam.
In May of this year, Malawsky was named Head Coach of the WLA’s Langley Thunder for the 2023 season. He has also served as a coach at the Junior A level, leading the Burnaby Lakers to back-to-back Minto Cups in 2004 and 2005 before capturing the 2010 championship with Coquitlam. A native of Coquitlam, BC, Malawsky was inducted into the Canadian Lacrosse Hall of Fame as a box player in 2015 and into the Coquitlam Sports Hall of Fame in 2022.
