Colorado Avalanche Head Coach Search Begins: Exploring Potential AHL Options/Fits
Colorado Avalanche have unexpectedly found themselves searching for a head coach late in the offseason. Patrick Roy surprised the hockey world on Thursday when he announced his resignation from VP of Hockey Operations/duties behind the bench.
Several names are already being bantered about to replace Roy in the Mile High City. Former Flames coach Bob Hartley is considered a top candidate by some, but others would you tell why that is a bad idea.
Early reports suggest the next Colorado Avalanche head coach will not be hired within the organization. Options include free agent coaches looking for work, an assistant coach in the NHL, someone in Europe, major junior, or the American Hockey League.
Many coaches have made their way up through the ranks to the AHL before landing their first NHL gig. These guys are familiar with a lot of up and coming prospects, and they’re responsible for the development and growth of these younger players to get them NHL ready.
That brings us to today’s focus. While we don’t know which route the Colorado Avalanche will take in their quest to find a new head coach, we can at least offer up a few options that exist in the AHL.
Colorado Avalanche Head Coach Search: AHL Options
1. Sylvain Lefebvre, St.John’s
Union and Blue
Lefebvre spent four years on the Avs blue line between 1995-96 and 1998-99, and wore the “A” for three of those seasons. He played his final year on Broadway in 2002-03 before closing out his career with SC Bern of the Swiss-A League in 2003-04.
After taking a few years off, Sylvain Lefebvre accepted an assistant coaching position with AHL Lake Erie in 2007, spending two seasons with the Monsters.
He was hired by the Colorado Avalanche in 2009-10 to serve as assistant to Joe Sacco, which lasted three seasons before Lefebvre decided to step down to accept a gig with AHL Hamilton.
He has since spent the last four seasons with the Canadiens organization (spending three seasons in Hamilton and most recently with new minor league affiliate St.John’s in 2015-16).
Here’s a guy that Joe Sakic is obviously familiar with. He was very much unproven behind the bench during his first tenure under Joe Sacco, but has since shown himself to be extremely capable bench boss.
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2. Travis Green, Utica
A former 2nd overall pick by the New York Islanders, Travis went to have a very successful NHL career.
He played a total 14 seasons, accumulating 455 points in 970 games, which ended in 2006-07.
Green played one more year with EV Zug in the Swiss-A League before hanging up the skates following the 2007-08 season.
Travis Green lacks experience behind the bench in comparison to the other four coaches on this list.
He began as an assistant for WHL Portland in 2010-11, and took on the duties of assistant general manager in 2011-12. By the time the 2012-13 season had concluded, Green had been promoted to GM/Head Coach.
He earned a new gig with AHL Utica in 2013-14 taking over behind the bench, where he has since served the past three seasons.
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3. Dean Evason, Milwaukee
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A former 5th round pick in 1982, Evason went on to have a fairly successful NHL career posting 372 points in 803 games. He spent time with Washington (who drafted him), Hartford, San Jose, Dallas, and Calgary, and nearly seven of those 13 seasons were spent with the Whalers.
Evason began his coaching career in the WHL back in 1998-99 and spent seven seasons there between Calgary, Kamloops, and Vancouver.
He was hired in 2005-06 by the Washington Capitals as an assistant coach, which lasted another seven seasons until he accepted a position with AHL Milwaukee in 2012-13.
Dean Evason has since spent the last four years in Milwaukee, and may be ready for his first NHL head coaching job.
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4. Scott Gordon, Lehigh Valley
After several years of success with AHL Providence in the early 2000s, Gordon was hired by the New York Islanders as head coach back in 2008-09. His tenure lasted a short three seasons with limited team success (lousy roster) and of course, the Rick DiPietro debacle.
On a high note, Scott Gordon served as either coach or assistant for Team USA at the World Championships all three years.
Eventually let go, Gordon joined the Maple Leafs as an assistant in 2011-12, where he served for three seasons.
Scott took over as head coach for AHL Lehigh Valley in 2015-16, but perhaps the Avs would be willing to give him a second chance with a better team.
5. Roy Sommer, San Jose
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Perhaps no AHL coach has a longer resume than Ray Sommer. The 59-year-old head coach of the San Jose Sharks AHL affiliate just concluded his 10th season with the organization.
His career behind the bench began back in 1987-88 with IHL Muskegon. He spent a year in the WHL, and five in the ECHL before earning an assistant coaching position with San Jose in 1996-97.
Sommer spent two short seasons with the Sharks before accepting a head coaching gig with AHL Kentucky in 1998-99. He spent three years in Kentucky, five in Cleveland, before finally returning to SJ to accept a job with AHL Worcester.
Sommer has 27 years experience behind the bench, serving as bench boss in the AHL for 18 of those seasons.
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Other Potential Options:
Brent Thompson, Bridgeport
Rick Kowalsky, Albany
Todd Nelson, Grand Rapids
Ted Dent, Rockford
Mike Stothers, Ontario
Dallas Eakins, San Diego
Troy Mann, Hershey
Sheldon Keefe, Toronto
Jared Bednar, Cleveland
Ryan Huska, Stockton
Derek Laxdal, Texas