Avalanche promote Joe Sacco from minors to coach; move comes a day after team fires Granato

Avalanche hire Joe Sacco as coach

DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche hired Joe Sacco of the AHL as their coach on Thursday, a day after firing Tony Granato and shaking up their front office.

Sacco inherits a team coming off its worst finish since moving to Denver in 1995. He was promoted from the Avalanche’s American Hockey League affiliate, where he coached the Lake Erie Monsters the past two seasons.

Sacco was to be introduced at a news conference by newly appointed general manager Greg Sherman and assistant GM Craig Billington.

“The American Hockey League has proven to be a valuable training ground for NHL head coaches and we’re confident that Joe’s experience at that level will be vital to his success with our organization at the NHL level,” Sherman said in a statement.

The Avalanche made sweeping changes Wednesday, firing Granato and five others. The team also announced a new management structure, promoting Sherman to general manager.

The 40-year-old Sacco has been with the Avalanche organization for the past four seasons. He also was an assistant coach for the team’s two previous AHL affiliates, the Lowell Lock Monsters (2005-06) and Albany River Rats (2006-07).

One of Sacco’s assistant coaches will be Sylvain Lefebvre, who served with him at Lake Erie. Lefebvre also was a member of the Avalanche’s Stanley Cup winning squad in 1996.

The Monsters finished 34-38-3-5 under Sacco last year, which was eight more wins than their inaugural season in 2007-08.

“I’m very honored and grateful to the Avalanche organization for giving me this opportunity,” Sacco said in a statement.

A former NHL forward, Sacco appeared in 738 games over a 13-year career that included stints with Toronto, Anaheim, the New York Islanders, Washington and Philadelphia.

The native of Medford, Mass., was also part of the United States hockey team that finished fourth at the 1992 Olympics in Albertville, France.

“I’m confident in my abilities and believe the experience I’ve gained will help me succeed in this new challenge,” Sacco said.

He joins a team that missed the playoffs for a second time in three seasons as it stumbled to a last-place finish in the Western Conference.

The team is strapped by salary cap issues and has both of its goalies, Peter Budaj and Andrew Raycroft, unsigned for next season. The Avalanche are also waiting to see if captain Joe Sakic returns for a 21st season.

The team courted Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy to be its coach a few weeks ago, but he turned them down after contemplating the offer.

In April, the Avalanche fired general manager Francois Giguere, leading president Pierre Lacroix to step in and oversee the team.