Joe Sacco
Joe Sacco completed his third season as the head coach of the Colorado Avalanche. He was named the fifth head coach in Avalanche history, and the 13th in franchise history on June 4, 2009.
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Colorado 823044868
In his first season behind Colorado's bench, Sacco led the Avalanche to a 43-30-9 record (95 points) and a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Sacco, 40, spent the last two seasons as head coach of Colorado’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters. The 2009-10 campaign marks his fifth season overall with the organization, as he also spent two years as an assistant coach with the AHL’s Lowell Lock Monsters in 2005-06 and Albany River Rats in 2006-07. “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,” said Avalanche General Manager Greg Sherman. Under Sacco’s guidance, the Monsters finished with a 34-38-3-5 record (76 points) in 2008-09, posting eight more wins and 11 more points than they did in their inaugural season of 2007-08. Following the season, Sacco was tabbed as an assistant coach for Team USA at the 2009 IIHF Men’s World Championship in Switzerland. “I’m very honored and grateful to the Avalanche organization for giving me this opportunity,” said Sacco. “This organization has provided me with all the necessary tools and support to be successful and grow as a coach. I’m confident in my abilities and believe the experience I’ve gained will help me succeed in this new challenge.”
Sacco was a fourth-round pick (71st overall) by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft. He appeared in 738 total games over his 13-year career in the National Hockey League, which included stints with Toronto, Anaheim, the New York Islanders, Washington and Philadelphia. The right winger finished with 94 goals and 119 assists for 213 points. Sacco played for the United States at the 1992 Olympics in Albertville, France, where the Americans finished fourth. He would go on to play for Team USA in six World Championships, winning a bronze medal in 1996. Born in Medford, Mass., Joe attended college at Boston University, where he played a total of 111 games over three years with the Terriers. Joe and his wife, Tammy, have three children, Joseph (13), Matthew (10) and Christina (5).