Kukla's Korner Hockey
Moves In Colorado
by Paul on 06/03/09 at 11:09 AM ET
Comments (0)
from Bob McKenzie of TSN,
The Colorado Avalanche completed a major organizational shuffle on Wednesday. The team parted ways with six parted members of the franchise’s hockey operations staff including head coach Tony Granato.
TSN’s Bob McKenzie reports the team has made Greg Sherman the new General Manager. Sherman has been assistant general manager of the Avs for the last seven years; he has been in the organization for the last 13 years.
DENVER – The Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club announced today that the organization has relieved six members of its hockey operations staff from their respective duties.
The list includes head coach Tony Granato, assistant coaches Jacques Cloutier and Dave Barr, goaltending coach Jeff Hackett, Assistant to the General Manager Michel Goulet and video coordinator PJ DeLuca.
The Avalanche will make an announcement regarding its new management structure later today.
added 11:17am, DENVER – Colorado Avalanche President Pierre Lacroix announced today a new management structure for the organization, effective immediately
Heading this new management structure is Greg Sherman, who has been named General Manager. Sherman, 39, has spent the last seven years as the team’s Assistant General Manager, and has been associated with the franchise for the last 13 years.
“Greg Sherman deserves the opportunity to prove he can be an effective general manager in our business,” said Lacroix. “He has shown that he possesses the necessary qualities required to be successful with this new challenge in front of him.”
“Surrounded by a strong hockey staff and under my supervision, he will have all the necessary support to lead the Avalanche in this new direction,” added Lacroix.
In his previous role, Sherman worked on contract negotiations, arbitration cases, salary cap management and matters concerning personnel at all levels of the organization. In addition, Sherman also served as a liaison between the Avalanche and its American Hockey League affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters. He oversaw and coordinated all financial obligations of both clubs. Born in Scranton, Pa., Sherman was raised in Denver and has spent most of his life in Colorado.
“I look forward to the challenge,” said Sherman. “We all know the task ahead and we need to get to work. There are a lot of things to be done here. I am surrounded by a group that has great knowledge of the business and we are looking towards the future with a lot of optimism. Our fans can rest assured that every effort will be taken to bring an exciting brand of hockey back to Pepsi Center.”
The Avalanche today also appointed Craig Billington as Vice President of Hockey Operations/Assistant General Manager. Billington, 42, will work closely with Sherman in running the day-to-day operations of the franchise. The London, Ontario native has been a part of the Avalanche front office for the past six years, starting as the club’s goaltending consultant before being named Director of Player Development. He added the title of vice president in the summer of 2008. In his previous role, the former Avalanche goaltender oversaw each of the major junior, college and minor league prospects throughout the organization.
Overseeing the Avalanche’s prospects will now be David Oliver, who was named Director of Player Development. Oliver, 38, will continue to serve as general manager of Colorado’s AHL affiliate, which he has done since the Monsters’ inaugural season of 2007-08.
In addition, Brad Smith, the team’s Director of Player Personnel, will have a more active role in personnel decisions and has the task of managing the Avalanche’s depth chart. The club also announced the hiring of Eric Lacroix as Director of Hockey Operations. Lacroix, 37, spent last year as a pro scout with the Phoenix Coyotes after serving as co-owner/assistant coach for the Arizona Sundogs, who captured the 2008 Ray Miron President’s Cup title as Central Hockey League champions. Prior to his three seasons with the Sundogs, the former Avalanche forward worked four years in the Avalanche’s hockey operations department. Rick Pracey, Director of Amateur Scouting, will continue to oversee the team’s scouting efforts as it heads into the 2009 NHL Entry Draft later this month.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Colorado Avalanche | KK Hockey | Permalink
Comments
Be the first to comment.
Add a Comment
Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.
Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.
Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.
Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.
Most Recent Blog Posts
Video- The Relationship Between Brodeur And Kovalchuk
Video- “Lof Of Good Guys In Hockey”
It Will Be The New Jersey Devils Against The Los Angeles Kings In The 2012 Stanley Cup Final
Open Post- Rangers/Devils Game 6 Eastern Conference Finals
About KK Hockey
Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.
From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.
Email Paul anytime at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Make extra cash while playing online poker. Rakeback is free and comes with rake races.
Kukla’s Korner is always a free service for readers, but it costs some money to maintain. If you’re ever in a position to donate a few dollars to help out, we’d be very appreciative.