When Joe Sacco was named as the head coach of the Colorado Avalanche, many people - including Avalanche fans - were surprised. The Medford, MA, native had only been coaching for four years: two years as an assistant coach for Colorado’s Lowell Lock Monsters and two years as head coach in Lake Erie for the Avs’ new AHL affiliate. However, that time prepared him well for what seemed an overwhelming challenge. Despite being handed a team that found itself in the basement of the Western Conference the prior season and a roster full of young players - many unproven at the NHL level - Joe Sacco took the Avalanche somewhere few people in the hockey world thought they would go in 2009-10: the Stanley Cup playoffs.

http://www.milehighhockey.com/2011/1...-out-joe-sacco