Brad Larsen
Encyclopedia
Brad Larsen is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey
left winger
who played in the National Hockey League
with the Colorado Avalanche
and the Atlanta Thrashers
. He currently serves as an assistant coach with the Springfield Falcons
of the American Hockey League
.
, and 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.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
left winger
Winger (ice hockey)
Winger, in the game of hockey, is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. They typically work by flanking the centre forward. Originally the name was given to forward players who went up and down the sides of the rink...
who played in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
with the Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
and the Atlanta Thrashers
Atlanta Thrashers
The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season...
. He currently serves as an assistant coach with the Springfield Falcons
Springfield Falcons
The Springfield Falcons are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League . They play in Springfield, Massachusetts, at the MassMutual Center and are the top affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League. The Falcons' two main rivals are the Connecticut Whale and the...
of the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
.
Playing career
Brad Larsen was born in Nakusp, British ColumbiaNakusp, British Columbia
The Village of Nakusp is a small community located on the shores of Upper Arrow Lake, a portion of the Columbia River, in the West Kootenay region of British Columbia...
, and played junior ice hockey for the Swift Current Broncos
Swift Current Broncos
The Swift Current Broncos are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League. Founded during 1967 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, the Broncos played seven seasons before relocating to Lethbridge from 1974 to 1986 as the Lethbridge Broncos...
where he attracted NHL scouts' attention. Larsen was drafted in round 3, 53rd overall by the Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft
1995 NHL Entry Draft
The 1995 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Edmonton Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta. The drafting order was now set partially by a lottery system whereby teams would not be guaranteed first pick if they finished last. Instead, a draft lottery was instituted in which the winner of the lottery could move...
. His rights were traded to the Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
in 1996. He was not signed by the Avalanche by 1997 NHL Entry Draft
1997 NHL Entry Draft
The 1997 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on 21 June 1997.-Selections by round:Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise noted.- Round one :-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...
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
Hershey Bears
The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...
, 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
Atlanta Thrashers
The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season...
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
Chicago Wolves
The Chicago Wolves are a professional hockey team playing in the American Hockey League. They are the top affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks of the NHL. The Wolves play home games at the Allstate Arena in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois...
. 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
Ken Klee
Kenneth Robert Klee is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman who played most notably with the Washington Capitals in the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
and Chad Painchaud
Chad Painchaud
Chad Painchaud is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who is currently playing for the Reading Royals of the ECHL.-Playing career:...
, to the Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
for Mathieu Schneider
Mathieu Schneider
Mathieu Schneider is a American former professional ice hockey player. Considered an offensive defenseman, Schneider played 1289 games in the National Hockey League with ten different teams, scoring 233 goals and totalling 743 points...
. Brad's injury woes returned at the start of the 2008–09
2008–09 NHL season
The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the...
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
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
training camp for the 2009–10
2009–10 AHL season
The 2009–10 AHL season was the 74th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-nine teams played 80 regular-season games each from October 2 to April 11...
season before signing with AHL affiliate, the Portland Pirates
Portland Pirates
The Portland Pirates is a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They are the top affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League. They play in the Cumberland County Civic Center in downtown Portland, Maine. The franchise was previously known as the...
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
Calder Cup
The Calder Cup is awarded annually to the playoff champion of the American Hockey League. The trophy is the world's second oldest continuous professional ice hockey championship, having first been awarded in 1937 following the 1936-37 AHL season, and continuously being awarded every year.The cup...
playoffs, Larsen later announced his retirement to become an assistant coach with the Springfield Falcons of the AHL on August 20, 2010.
Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1992–93 | Nelson Leafs Nelson Leafs The Nelson Leafs are a Junior "B" Ice Hockey team based in Nelson, British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Neil Murdoch Division of the Kootenay Conference of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League... |
RMJHL Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League The Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League was a Canadian Junior "A" ice hockey league in British Columbia.In 1975, the Quesnel Millionaires and Prince George Spruce Kings joined the Peace Junior B Hockey League. The PJBHL already included the Fort St. John Huskies, Dawson Creek Canucks, and Grande... |
42 | 31 | 37 | 68 | 164 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 | Swift Current Broncos Swift Current Broncos The Swift Current Broncos are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League. Founded during 1967 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, the Broncos played seven seasons before relocating to Lethbridge from 1974 to 1986 as the Lethbridge Broncos... |
WHL Western Hockey League The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada... |
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 1997–98 AHL season The 1997–98 AHL season was the 62nd season of the American Hockey League. The AHL shifts teams in their divisions, and the Canadian division reverts to being named Atlantic division. The Northern conference is renamed the Eastern conference, and the Southern conference renamed the Western... |
Hershey Bears Hershey Bears The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
65 | 12 | 10 | 22 | 80 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 2 | ||
| 1997–98 | Colorado Avalanche Colorado Avalanche The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 1998–99 AHL season The 1998–99 AHL season was the 63rd season of the American Hockey League. Nineteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Providence Bruins finished first overall in the regular season, and won their first Calder Cup championship.-Team changes:... |
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 2000–01 AHL season The 2000–01 AHL season was the 65th season of the American Hockey League. The league realigns its divisions again. The Atlantic division is renamed the Canadian division. The Empire State division is replaced by the South division, with many teams shifting from the Mid-Atlantic division.Twenty... |
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 2002–03 AHL season The 2002–03 AHL season was the 67th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hamilton Bulldogs finished first overall in the regular season... |
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 2003–04 AHL season The 2003–04 AHL season was the 68th season of the American Hockey League. The league introduces the Willie Marshall Award in honour the career points leader in the AHL, and awards it to the annual top goal scorer.... |
Hershey Bears | AHL | 21 | 4 | 13 | 17 | 40 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 26 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 11 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | Atlanta Thrashers Atlanta Thrashers The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season... |
NHL | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2004–05 2004–05 AHL season The 2004–05 AHL season was the 69th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season... |
Chicago Wolves Chicago Wolves The Chicago Wolves are a professional hockey team playing in the American Hockey League. They are the top affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks of the NHL. The Wolves play home games at the Allstate Arena in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois... |
AHL | 75 | 26 | 23 | 49 | 112 | 18 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 22 | ||
| 2005–06 | Atlanta Thrashers | NHL | 62 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 21 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2005–06 2005–06 AHL season The 2005–06 AHL season was the 70th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-seven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hershey Bears won the Calder Cup, defeating the Milwaukee Admirals in the finals.... |
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 2009–10 AHL season The 2009–10 AHL season was the 74th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-nine teams played 80 regular-season games each from October 2 to April 11... |
Portland Pirates Portland Pirates The Portland Pirates is a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They are the top affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League. They play in the Cumberland County Civic Center in downtown Portland, Maine. The franchise was previously known as the... |
AHL | 55 | 13 | 14 | 27 | 40 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| WHL totals | 238 | 105 | 144 | 249 | 233 | 19 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 19 | ||||
| AHL totals | 384 | 96 | 120 | 216 | 475 | 62 | 14 | 16 | 30 | 73 | ||||
| NHL totals | 294 | 19 | 29 | 48 | 134 | 25 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 13 | ||||
International
| Year | Team | Comp | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Canada Pacific | WHC17 World U-17 Hockey Challenge The World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, originally known as the Quebec Esso Cup, is an international ice hockey tournament held annually in Canada. The tournament does not operate during years in which the Canada Winter Games are held. As such, the World Under-17 Challenge is held three out of every... |
6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1996 1996 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships The 1996 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships was the 20th edition of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championship, hosted in Massachusetts... |
Canada | WJC World Junior Ice Hockey Championships The International Ice Hockey Federation World Under 20 Championship is an annual event organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation for national under-20 ice hockey teams from around the world... |
6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| 1997 1997 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships -Quarterfinals:-Semifinals:-5th place game:-Bronze Medal Game:-Gold Medal Game:-Final standings: was relegated for the 1998 World Juniors-Scoring leaders:-Goaltending leaders:-Pool B:... |
Canada | WJC | 7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| Junior int'l totals | 19 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 10 | ||
Career transactions
- Originally selected by the Ottawa SenatorsOttawa SenatorsThe Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft as a 3rd round choice, 53rd overall, in 1995. - Selected by the Colorado AvalancheColorado AvalancheThe Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft as a 4th round choice, 87th overall. - Claimed on waivers by the ThrashersAtlanta ThrashersThe Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season...
from Colorado, February 25, 2004. - Traded along with Ken KleeKen KleeKenneth Robert Klee is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman who played most notably with the Washington Capitals in the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
and Chad PainchaudChad PainchaudChad Painchaud is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who is currently playing for the Reading Royals of the ECHL.-Playing career:...
, to the Anaheim DucksAnaheim DucksThe Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in exchange for Mathieu SchneiderMathieu SchneiderMathieu Schneider is a American former professional ice hockey player. Considered an offensive defenseman, Schneider played 1289 games in the National Hockey League with ten different teams, scoring 233 goals and totalling 743 points...
, September 26, 2008.
Awards and honours
| Award | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| WHL Western Hockey League The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada... |
||
| East All-Star Team | 1997 | |