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Avalanche announce coaching additions and title changes

Although we've known about the changes for some time, the Avalanche have officially announced the hirings of Tourigny and Foote. Additional staff changes include the addition of a video coach and a promotion for Billington.

By Cheryl Bradley
Andre Tourigny (Lapresse.ca)

It's not really a surprise that newly anointed head coach Patrick Roy would look to familiar faces when choosing an assistant coach, pulling someone from the Quebec Major Junior League where he spent the past eight years. Roy's selection is Andre Tourigny, otherwise known as "The Bear."

Tourigny comes into the NHL with a similar pedigree to that of Roy. He has been the head coach and general manager of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies for 11 years, where he set a QMJHL record for most games coached with the same franchise. The Huskies's record during his tenure was 337-336-20, one of those years being a league-best at 47-20-2-1. Tourigny received coach of the year honors in 2005-06. The Bear also served as assistant coach for Team Canada at the 2010, 2011 and 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship. They took silver in 2010 and 2011.

Also joining the staff will be former Av Adam Foote. Foote has been a part of the franchise since selected by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1989 entry draft. 17 of his 19 years on the ice were with the organization, including 1996 and 2001 when the team won their two Stanley Cup Championships. His role will be as a part time Defense Development Consultant, improving on what has been a mediocre blueline for too many seasons. His part-time status is due to his desire to remain in the Denver area with his family, and as such, he will not travel with the team for road games.

The team is also adding a new video coach. Mario Duhamel comes to the Avs from the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the QMJHL, where he spent four years as head coach. Duhamel worked with Tourigny as an assistant coach for Team Canada's 2013 WJC run. He was also Tourigny's assistant coach for Rouyn-Noranda.

The Avs also announced a change in title for Craig Billington. After ten years with the team as Vice President of Player Development/Minor League Operations, Billington has been promoted to Assistant General Manager. In addition to his work in player development and minor league operations over his time with the team, Billington also served as a goaltending coach and assisted with scouting.

Tim Army remains with the Avalanche, continuing his work as an assistant coach.