The Colorado Avalanche are busy preparing for the NHL draft this Friday where they will select tenth. Once the draft is over, Colorado will need to hire assistant coaches. They have two voids to fill. In May both Andre Tourigny and Mario Duhamel told the Avalanche they won’t return next year. Andre Tourigny served as defensive coach and Mario Duhamel was the video coach. Tourginy is seeking a head coaching position while Mario Duhamel wants to be behind the bench. Who is out there to hire?
A familiar name has been mentioned to possibly be an assistant coach for Patrick Roy, George Gwozdecky. Gwozdecky was the assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning for the past two years. This season was their most successful, going all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals and losing to the Chicago Blackhawks 4-2.
Before taking the Lightning job, Gwozdecky was the head coach of the Denver University Pioneers hockey team. Gwozdecky coached them for 19 seasons. His record was 443-267-64. Gwozdecky took DU to 12 NCAA tournament births. In 2004 and 2005 they won the NCAA Frozen Four to become NCAA Champions.
Gwozdecky decided it was time to move on from Tampa Bay on Monday. According to the Tampa Bay Times, Gwozdecky said, “I have nothing but great memories, great things to say about the team, about the organization. It was a great learning experience.” Gwozdecky believes he still has a lot left to offer as a coach.
According to Denver Post writer Mike Chambers, Gwozdecky hasn’t heard from the Avalanche yet. In a text Gwozdecky said, “Not leaning in any direction right now except to get some much-needed R&R. I have not spoken with anybody in the Avs organization but I’m sure I would if they call.”
The Colorado Avalanche should call Gwozdecky to see if he has an interest in becoming an assistant coach with the organization. Gwozdecky would help Colorado be a better defensive team. He has shown he can be an outstanding assistant coach. It’s worth a phone call to find out.
Would it be a good idea to hire George Gwozdecky as an assistant coach for the Colorado Avalanche?
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