The Colorado Avalanche have filled the open spot on Jared Bednar’s bench, bringing back a familiar face in Brett McLean as an assistant coach.
McLean steps into the job after Dave Hakstol moved on to a head coaching role with the NCAA’s Arizona State University men’s hockey program. He’ll join Nolan Pratt, goaltending coach Jussi Parkkila and assistant/video coach Brett Heimlich on Bednar’s staff.
Avalanche president of hockey operations and general manager Joe Sakic pointed to McLean’s connection to the organization and what he brings behind the scenes.
"In Brett, we’re getting an experienced coach and someone who is familiar with the culture here,” Sakic said per NHL.com. “I’ve known Brett dating back to when we were teammates. I can speak to his outstanding character and work ethic, and I’m confident our players will thrive in the areas he’ll be coaching them in."
McLean knows the Avalanche from both sides of the rink. He spent 19 seasons in professional hockey, with six of those coming in the NHL, including two seasons in Colorado from 2005-06 to 2006-07. During his playing career, he also posted personal bests with 31 assists and 40 points.
His coaching resume has been building for years. McLean had a three-year stint as an assistant in Minnesota from 2020-21 to 2022-23, and the Wild made the Stanley Cup Playoffs in each of those seasons. Before that, he got his start in Iowa, working with the Wild from 2017-18 to 2019-20 and helping Iowa reach the Second Round of the Calder Cup Playoffs in 2018-19.
More recently, McLean was an assistant with the Vancouver Canucks in 2025-26 after serving as head coach of the AHL’s Iowa Wild from 2023-24 to 2024-25.
McLean said he’s eager to get back to Colorado and get to work.
“I am honored and excited for this opportunity to be an Assistant Coach with the Avalanche,” said McLean. “I enjoyed my time here as a player, and I am eager to re-join the organization as a coach. I’m looking forward to returning to Colorado, getting acclimated to this team quickly and getting to know everyone here so that we won’t miss a beat and can keep our focus on winning games.”
The Avalanche are 4-2-1 and return to action Oct. 16 when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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