Fans stunned as Avalanche make shocking coaching change ahead of next season
Photo credit: Colorado Hockey Now
Colorado Avalanche fans were taken by surprise as the team officially announced former NHL defenseman Mark Popovic as their new Skills Coach in preparation of the upcoming season.
This unexpected coaching addition has sparked plenty of buzz among the fanbase.
Avalanche hire Mark Popovic as new Skills Coach.
NHL.com reports that Popovic has worked as a consultant for the Avalanche and AHL Colorado Eagles over the past several seasons, helping out with training camp, development camp, and providing one-on-one support to players during the season.
"In addition to his duties with the Avalanche, Popovic, 42, is the owner and founder of IGNITE HOCKEY, a hockey development company based out of Colorado. IGNITE provides both on and off-ice development for elite young hockey players. Popovic also owns Perfect Skating Denver, a similar development program for young players." -NHL.com
Drafted 35th overall by the Anaheim Ducks in 2001, Popovic had a 15-year pro hockey career, including several NHL seasons. He's tallied two goals and five assists in 81 NHL games, mostly with the Atlanta Thrashers, making his debut with Anaheim in 2003-04. Popovic played full seasons with the Thrashers in 2007-08 and 2009-10.
"Popovic also dressed in 359 career AHL contests and played three seasons in Switzerland's National League, three seasons in the KHL in Russia and two in Austria. Prior to turning pro, Popovic spent four years with the Ontario Hockey League's Toronto St. Michael's Majors, where he was named to the 2002 OHL First All-Star Team, 2001 OHL Third All-Star Team and 1999 OHL All-Rookie Team. He represented Team Canada at two IIHF World Junior Championships, winning bronze in 2001 and silver in 2002." -NHL.com
Born in Stoney, Ontario, Popovic and his family have resided in the Denver met metropolitan area ever since he wrapped up his pro hockey career after the 2016-17 season.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 6 | 29 ANSWERS Fans stunned as Avalanche make shocking coaching change ahead of next season Are you happy with Colorado's decision to hire Mark Popovic as the new skills coach of the Avalanche? | ||
| yes | 22 | 75.9 % |
| no | 7 | 24.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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