After a one-year gap away from the game, Brad Larsen will return behind the bench for the 2024-25 NHL season. After a lengthy 13-year run in the Columbus Blue Jackets organization, the Calgary Flames have hired Larsen to serve as an assistant coach on Ryan Huska’s staff.
Not only does Larsen have experience behind the bench in the NHL, he has also spent 10 years as a player having suited up for the Colorado Avalanche and Atlanta Thrashers. Larsen won a Stanley Cup Championship with the Avalanche during the 2001 Stanley Cup playoffs and back-to-back gold medals with Team Canada during the IIHF World Junior Championships in 1996 and 1997.
Larsen was named an assistant coach on John Tortorella’s staff in Columbus ahead of the 2014-15 NHL season and held that role until Tortorella’s exit after the 2020-21 season. Next in line for the Blue Jackets, Larsen was named the eighth head coach in franchise history on June 10, 2021. Over 162 games spent as head coach, Columbus compiled a 62-86-16 record under Larsen leading to his firing after the 2022-23 NHL season.
Now headed to Alberta, Larsen brings some experience to Huska’s staff in Calgary as the latter begins his second season as head coach of the franchise.
In the press release from the Flames organization about the hiring, Larsen said, “I’m super excited to be joining the Flames organization and appreciative of the opportunity to work alongside Ryan Huska and his staff. 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“.