Calgary Flames hire former Blue Jackets coach Brad Larsen as assistant
The Calgary Flames announced Tuesday that the club has hired Brad Larsen as an assistant coach.
Larsen spent nine seasons behind the bench for the Columbus Blue Jackets. After seven years as an assistant, Larsen was named head coach ahead of the 2021-22 season. In two seasons as head coach of the Blue Jackets, Larsen went 62-86-16.
#Flames announce they've hired former #CBJ head coach Brad Larsen to Ryan Huska's staff as an assistant coach.
Larsen spent nine years on Columbus bench, including 2021-23 as head coach, with the previous seven as an assistant.
“Brad is a great addition to our coaching staff, adding valuable recent experience as an NHL head coach as well as a long-time player,” said Flames general manager Craig Conroy in a statement released by the team Tuesday. “He is a good communicator with a tremendous work ethic and provides a wealth of knowledge having worked in every situation as a coach over the course of his career. We look forward to Brad’s contributions to our team’s success.”
Columbus opted to move on from Larsen following his second consecutive losing season with a struggling Blue Jackets team. The 46-year-old was fired in April 2023. He originally signed a three-year contract that was set to run through the 2023-24 season.
“I’m super excited to be joining the Flames organization and appreciative of the opportunity to work alongside Ryan Huska and his staff,” Larsen said in the team statement. “I’ve had so much respect for this organization for a long time, its history and solid reputation around the league. As well, I have a great affinity for the city and its beautiful setting near the Rocky Mountains. I can’t wait to get started.”
Larsen, a British Columbia native, played 294 career NHL games. After being drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the fourth round (No. 87) of the 1997 NHL Draft, the winger tallied 48 points (19 goals, 29 assists) in nine seasons with the Avalanche and Atlanta Thrashers. Larsen served as captain for both the Hershey Bears and Portland Pirates in the American Hockey League and won back-to-back gold medals with Canada at the 1996 and 1997 IIHF World Junior Championships.
The Flames have now wrapped up their coaching search and have their staff for the 2024-25 season. Ryan Huska was hired as head coach last summer, while Larsen, Dan Lambert and Cail MacLean will serve as assistants along with goalie coach Jason LaBarbera, video coach Jamie Pringle and video coordinator Andrew Doty.