Brad Larsen

Brad Larsen
Larsen with the Atlanta Thrashers in 2004
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

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 the current head 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.

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. 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. 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.

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. 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.

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 Second All-Star Team	1997

Transactions

• Originally selected by the Ottawa Senators in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft as a 3rd round choice, 53rd overall, in 1995.
• Selected by the Colorado Avalanche in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft as a 4th round choice, 87th overall.
• Claimed on waivers by the Thrashers from Colorado, February 25, 2004.
• Traded along with Ken Klee and Chad Painchaud, to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Mathieu Schneider, September 26, 2008.

Personal life

Larsen is married to Hannah Larsen. They have one son and one daughter. Larsen is a Christian.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from

• Rights to Larsen were traded by Ottawa for Janne Laukkanen on January 26, 1996.