Eurolanche

Farrish named assistant coach

Farrish will join current Assistant Coach Tim Army on Head Coach/Vice President of Hockey Operations Patrick Roy’s coaching staff. 

The 2015-16 campaign will mark Farrish’s 25th season of coaching at the NHL, American Hockey League, International Hockey League and East Coast Hockey League levels.  The Lucknow, Ontario, native most recently served as an assistant coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2012-14.  Prior to his time with the Leafs, Farrish spent seven seasons as an assistant coach with the Anaheim Ducks, where he won a Stanley Cup in 2006-07. 

“Dave brings a wealth of experience and hockey knowledge to our organization,” said Roy.  “He is the ideal candidate to compliment our coaching staff and we look forward to working together to make our team as competitive as we can.” 

Farrish, 58, has served as a head coach for 1,027 professional hockey games, compiling a record of 520-402-83-22.  He led the Louisiana IceGators (ECHL) to four consecutive division championships from 2000-01 to 2003-04, which included winning the ECHL Coach of the Year award in 2001-02.  Farrish also guided the Pensacola Ice Pilots to the ECHL’s best record during his lone season there in 2004-05 (51-16-5, .743%).  

Prior to his time in the ECHL, Farrish was the head coach of the Springfield Falcons of the AHL from 1997-98 to 1999-00.  From 1993-94 to 1996-97, Farrish served as a head coach in the IHL with the Salt Lake City Golden Eagles (1993-94) and Fort Wayne Komets (1995-96 and 1996-97).  Farrish began his coaching career with Moncton of the AHL in 1989-90, where he coached until joining the New Jersey Devils as an assistant coach under Herb Brooks for the 1992-93 season. 

Selected by the New York Rangers in the second round (24th overall) of the 1976 NHL Entry Draft, Farrish played seven seasons (1976-77 to 1983-84) in the NHL as a defenseman with the Rangers, Quebec Nordiques and Toronto Maple Leafs.  In 430 regular season games, he recorded 127 points (17g/110a). 

In addition to Farrish, the Avalanche today also announced the hiring of Brett Heimlich as video coordinator.  Heimlich, 29, spent the last eight seasons in a similar position with the San Jose Sharks. 

-- Avalanche Press Release --