Brad Larsen(born June 28, 1977) is a Canadian professionalice hockeycoach and former player who most recently served as the head coach of theColumbus Blue Jacketsof theNational Hockey League(NHL). Before coaching, he played in the NHL with theColorado Avalancheand theAtlanta Thrashersbetween 1998 and 2008. He is the former head coach of theSpringfield Falconsof theAmerican Hockey League(AHL). He has been hired as an Assistant Coach for the Calgary Flames (NHL) as of June 11, 2024.
| Brad Larsen | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Larsen in 2021 | |||
| Born |
June 28, 1977 Nakusp,British Columbia,Canada | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | ||
| Weight | 200 lb (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb) | ||
| Position | Left wing | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for |
Colorado Avalanche Atlanta Thrashers | ||
| Coached for | Columbus Blue Jackets | ||
| NHL draft |
53rd overall,1995 Ottawa Senators 87th overall,1997 Colorado Avalanche | ||
| Playing career | 1997–2010 | ||
| Coaching career | 2010–present | ||
Playing career
editLarsen was born inNakusp, British Columbia,but grew up inVernon, British Columbia.He played junior ice hockey for theSwift Current Broncoswhere he attracted NHL scouts' attention. Larsen was drafted in round 3, 53rd overall by theOttawa Senatorsin the1995 NHL Entry Draft.His rights were traded to theColorado Avalanchein 1996. He was not signed by the Avalanche by1997 NHL Entry Draftday and subsequently re-entered the draft and was drafted 87th overall by the Avalanche.
Larsen's first four professional years were spent almost entirely with Colorado's AHL affiliate, theHershey Bears,before securing a full-time role as a member of the Avalanche in2001–02.He could not establish himself in the NHL because he was blighted by persistent back and groin injuries in2002–03.Larsen returned in2003–04and spent time with both Hershey and Colorado before he was claimed off waivers by theAtlanta Thrasherson February 25, 2004.
During the2004 NHL Lockout,Larsen made a return to full health playing in a career-high 75 games with the Thrashers AHL affiliate, theChicago Wolves.Upon resumption of the NHL in the2005–06season, Larsen established a checking line role with the Thrashers and posted a career-high 7 goals for 15 points. After playing in an NHL-high 72 games and helping Atlanta reach their maiden postseason the following season, Larsen was re-signed by the Thrashers to a two-year contract extension on June 22, 2007.[1]A mainstay on the Thrashers fourth line, Larsen's offensive contributions dipped in the2007–08season, scoring just 1 goal and four points.
On September 26, 2008, Larsen was traded by Atlanta, along withKen Kleeand Chad Painchaud, to theAnaheim DucksforMathieu Schneider.[2]Larsen's injury woes returned at the start of the2008–09season, after suffering asports hernia;he was then required to have hip surgery which consequently keep him sidelined for the entire season without debuting for the Ducks.[3]
A free agent, Larsen was invited to theBuffalo Sabrestraining camp for the2009–10season before signing with its AHL affiliate, thePortland Pirateson September 12, 2009.[4]As a part of the leadership group with the Pirates, Larsen made his return to the ice and posted 13 goals and 27 points in 55 games. Helping the Pirates reach the quarterfinals in theCalder Cupplayoffs, Larsen later announced his retirement to become an assistant coach with theSpringfield Falconsof the AHL on August 20, 2010.[5]
Coaching career
editLarsen was an assistant coach for theSpringfield Falconsbetween 2010 and 2012. He was later promoted as head coach of the team, spending two seasons in that role between 2012 and 2014. Larsen was hired as an assistant coach for theColumbus Blue Jacketsin 2014. On June 10, 2021 after seven seasons as an assistant, Larsen was named head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets.[6]On April 15, 2023, after failing to make the playoffs in either year under his leadership, the Blue Jackets fired Larsen.[7]
Career statistics
editRegular season and playoffs
edit| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1992–93 | Nelson Leafs | RMJHL | 42 | 31 | 37 | 68 | 164 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 | Swift Current Broncos | WHL | 64 | 15 | 18 | 33 | 32 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | ||
| 1994–95 | Swift Current Broncos | WHL | 62 | 24 | 33 | 57 | 73 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 1995–96 | Swift Current Broncos | WHL | 51 | 30 | 47 | 77 | 67 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 13 | ||
| 1996–97 | Swift Current Broncos | WHL | 61 | 36 | 46 | 82 | 61 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1997–98 | Hershey Bears | AHL | 65 | 12 | 10 | 22 | 80 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 2 | ||
| 1997–98 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 | Hershey Bears | AHL | 18 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | ||
| 1999–00 | Hershey Bears | AHL | 52 | 13 | 26 | 39 | 66 | 14 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 29 | ||
| 2000–01 | Hershey Bears | AHL | 67 | 21 | 25 | 46 | 93 | 10 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | ||
| 2000–01 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2001–02 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 50 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 47 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 13 | ||
| 2002–03 | Hershey Bears | AHL | 25 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 25 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8 | ||
| 2002–03 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | Hershey Bears | AHL | 21 | 4 | 13 | 17 | 40 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 26 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | Atlanta Thrashers | NHL | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2004–05 | Chicago Wolves | AHL | 75 | 26 | 23 | 49 | 112 | 18 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 22 | ||
| 2005–06 | Atlanta Thrashers | NHL | 62 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 21 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2005–06 | Chicago Wolves | AHL | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | Atlanta Thrashers | NHL | 72 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 39 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2007–08 | Atlanta Thrashers | NHL | 62 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 | Portland Pirates | AHL | 55 | 13 | 14 | 27 | 40 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| NHL totals | 294 | 19 | 29 | 48 | 134 | 25 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 13 | ||||
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
Representing Canada
| ||
| Men'sice hockey | ||
| World Under 17 Hockey Challenge | ||
 |
1994 Amos | |
| World Junior Championship | ||
 |
1996 Boston | |
|
1997 Geneva | |
International
edit| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | CanadaPacific | WHC17 | 
|
6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1996 | Canada | WJC | 
|
6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | |
| 1997 | Canada | WJC |
|
7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | |
| Junior totals | 19 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 10 | ||||
Head coaching record
edit| Team | Year | Regular season | Postseason | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | L | OTL | Pts | Finish | W | L | Win% | Result | |||
| CBJ | 2021–22 | 82 | 37 | 38 | 7 | 81 | 6th inMetropolitan | — | — | — | Missed playoffs | |
| CBJ | 2022–23 | 82 | 25 | 48 | 9 | 59 | 8th in Metropolitan | — | — | — | Missed playoffs | |
| Total | 164 | 62 | 86 | 16 | — | — | — | |||||
Awards and honors
edit| Award | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| WHL | ||
| East Second All-Star Team | 1997 | |
Personal life
editLarsen and his wife have two children.[8]Larsen is aChristian.[9]
References
edit- ^"Thrashers re-sign Larsen and McCarthy".Atlanta Thrashers.June 22, 2007.RetrievedMay 16,2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^Cox, Damien (September 26, 2008)."Schneider traded to Atlanta".Toronto Star.Toronto.RetrievedOctober 28,2008.
- ^"Ducks make final salary cap move".ducks.freedomblog.October 18, 2008. Archived fromthe originalon December 10, 2008.Retrieved2010-05-16.
- ^"Sabres sign Stafford to two year deal".Buffalo News.September 13, 2009.RetrievedMay 16,2010.[dead link]
- ^"Larsen named asst. coach in Springfield".American Hockey League.August 20, 2010.RetrievedAugust 20,2010.
- ^"CBJ name Brad Larsen head coach".NHL.June 10, 2021.RetrievedJune 11,2021.
- ^"Columbus Blue Jackets relieve Brad Larsen of his duties as head coach".NHL.April 15, 2023.RetrievedApril 15,2023.
- ^"Brad Larsen, Assistant Coach".RetrievedMarch 13,2020.
- ^Doering, Joshua."Blue Jackets assistant Brad Larsen owes 'everything to God' after beating cancer twice".Sports Spectrum.RetrievedMarch 13,2020.
External links
edit- Biographical information and career statistics fromNHL,orEliteprospects,orHockey-Reference,orThe Internet Hockey Database