Brad Larsen

Brad Larsen (born January 28, 1977) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger who played in the National Hockey League with the Colorado Avalanche and the Atlanta Thrashers. He is currently an assistant coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League. He is the former head coach of the Springfield Falcons of the American Hockey League.

Brad Larsen
Larsen with the Atlanta Thrashers in 2011
Born (1977-01-28) January 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
NHL Draft 53rd overall, 1995
Ottawa Senators
87th overall, 1997
Colorado Avalanche
Playing career 1997–2010

Playing career

Brad Larsen was born in Nakusp, British Columbia, but grew up in Vernon, British Columbia. He played junior ice hockey for the Swift Current Broncos where he attracted NHL scouts' attention. Larsen was drafted in round 3, 53rd overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. His rights were traded to the Colorado Avalanche in 1996. He was not signed by the Avalanche by 1997 NHL Entry Draft day and subsequently re-entered the draft and was drafted 87th overall by the Avalanche.

His first four professional years were spent almost entirely with Colorado's AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears, before securing a full-time role as a member of the Avalanche in 2001–02. Blighted by persistent Back and Groin injuries in 2002–03, Larsen was unable to establish himself in the NHL. Brad returned in 2003–04 and spent time with both Hershey and Colorado before he was claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Thrashers on February 25, 2004.

During the 2004 NHL Lockout, Larsen made a return to full health playing in a career high 75 games with the Thrashers AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves. Upon resumption of the NHL in the 2005–06 season, Larsen established a checking line role with the Thrashers and posted a career high 7 goals for 15 points. After playing in a NHL high 72 games and helping the Atlanta reach their maiden post season the following season, Brad 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 the 2007–08 season, scoring just 1 goal and four points.

On September 26, 2008, he was traded by Atlanta, along with Ken Klee and Chad Painchaud, to the Anaheim Ducks for Mathieu Schneider.[2] Brad's injury woes returned at the start of the 2008–09 season, after suffering a Sports 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 the Buffalo Sabres training camp for the 2009–10 season before signing with AHL affiliate, the Portland Pirates on 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 for 27 points in 55 games. Helping the Pirates reach the Quarterfinals in the Calder Cup playoffs, Larsen later announced his retirement to become an assistant coach with the Springfield Falcons of the AHL on August 20, 2010.[5]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs
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's ice hockey
World Under 17 Hockey Challenge
1994 Amos
World Junior Championship
1996 Boston
1997 Geneva

International
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
1994 Canada Pacific 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

Awards and honours
Award Year
WHL
East All-Star Team 1997

Transactions

Personal life

Larsen is married to Hannah Larsen. They have one son and one daughter.[7] Larsen is a Christian.[8]

References
  1. "Thrashers re-sign Larsen and McCarthy". Atlanta Thrashers. June 22, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
  2. Cox, Damien (September 26, 2008). "Schneider traded to Atlanta". Toronto Star. Toronto. Retrieved October 28, 2008.
  3. "Ducks make final salary cap move". ducks.freedomblog.com. October 18, 2008. Archived from the original on December 10, 2008. Retrieved 2010-05-16.
  4. "Sabres sign Stafford to two year deal". Buffalo News. September 13, 2009. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
  5. "Larsen named asst. coach in Springfield". American Hockey League. August 20, 2010. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  6. Rights to Larsen were traded by Ottawa for Janne Laukkanen on January 26, 1996.
  7. "Brad Larsen, Assistant Coach". Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  8. Doering, Joshua. "Blue Jackets assistant Brad Larsen owes 'everything to God' after beating cancer twice". Sports Spectrum. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
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