The Colorado Avalanche was very busy Wednesday morning, firing six of its hockey operations staff, including head coach Tony Granato, and naming Greg Sherman its new general manager.
Sherman, 39, has spent the last seven years as the team's Assistant GM, and has been associated with the franchise for the last 13 years.
"Greg Sherman deserves the opportunity to prove he can be an effective general manager in our business," said Avalanche president Pierre Lacroix. "He has shown that he possesses the necessary qualities required to be successful with this new challenge in front of him."
Granato, 44, posted a 32-44-0-5 record with the Avalanche this past season. He had two-years remaining on his contract.
The Avs also announced today that they have fired assistant coaches Jacques Cloutier and Dave Barr, goaltending coach Jeff Hackett, Assistant to the GM Michel Goulet and video coordinator PJ DeLuca.
Craig Billington will remain on board as Assistant GM, Brad Smith remains Director of Player Personnel and Rick Pracey stays on as Director of Amateur Scouting.
Eric Lacroix has been named Director of Hockey Operations and David Oliver is the new Director of Player Development.
"Surrounded by a strong hockey staff and under my supervision, [Sherman] will have all the necessary support to lead the Avalanche in this new direction," said Lacroix.
