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Joe Sacco was appointed head coach of Colorado's American Hockey League affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters, on May 7, 2007. He will be behind the bench when the Monsters drop the puck on their inaugural campaign in Cleveland, Ohio this fall.
Sacco, 38, will enter his third season with the Avalanche organization. He served as an assistant coach for the club's last two AHL affiliates, the Lowell Lock Monsters (2005-06) and Albany River Rats (2006-07).
"Joe has been a key part of this organization's development efforts over the last two seasons as an assistant coach in the American league which has prepared him for this new challenge," said Avalanche Executive Vice President & General Manager Francois Giguere. "He'll play a vital role in implementing our vision and executing our plan of developing our young prospects within our system in Cleveland."
"I definitely feel ready for the challenge," said Joe Sacco. "The Avalanche organization has built a winning tradition in Denver and I want to thank them for their support and trust in my capabilities. I look forward to moving to Cleveland and working with a dynamic organization."
Sacco was a fourth round draft pick (71st overall) by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1987 NHL draft. He appeared in 738 total games over his 13 year career in the National Hockey League, which included stints with Toronto, Anaheim, NY Islanders, Washington and Philadelphia.
Sacco played for the United States in the 1992 Olympics at Albertville, France, where the team finished fourth. Sacco also played for Team USA in the 1994 and 1996 World Championships. In 1996 he recorded six points in eight games for Team USA, earning a bronze medal with his squad. Sacco recorded his 100th NHL assist at the Rangers on March 23, 1999 while playing for the Washington Capitals.
Sacco was born in Medford, Mass. and attended college at Boston University, where he played a total of 111 games over three years. He and his wife Tammy have three children, Joseph, Matthew and Christina. | 