Colorado Avalanche Hire Brett McLean as Assistant Coach

The former Avalanche player joins the team to lead the power play following the departure of Dave Hakstol.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Hockey

Colorado Avalanche Hire Brett McLean as Assistant Coach

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The Colorado Avalanche have hired Brett McLean as an assistant coach to oversee the team's power play unit. This move follows the departure of former assistant coach Dave Hakstol, who left the organization to lead Arizona State University.

Why it matters

The team aims to improve its power play performance after seeking a replacement for Dave Hakstol. Brett McLean brings recent experience from his time with the Vancouver Canucks coaching staff.

During the 2025-26 season, Brett McLean helped lead the Vancouver Canucks to a 21.8% power play success rate. This comes as the Avalanche look to improve upon their 17.1% success rate from last season.

The players

Brett McLean

He is a former NHL player who logged 385 games and 162 career points with three different teams.

Colorado Avalanche

They are a professional hockey team based in Denver that competes in the National Hockey League.

Dave Hakstol

He is a professional hockey coach who departed the Avalanche to lead the Arizona State University program.

The details

Brett McLean played 385 career NHL games and recorded 162 points during his time with the Avalanche, Blackhawks, and Panthers. He previously served as head coach for the Iowa Wild from 2023 to 2025 before his stint in Vancouver.

2005-2007: Brett McLean played for the Colorado Avalanche.
2023-2025: Brett McLean coached the Iowa Wild.
2025-26 season: Brett McLean coached the Vancouver Canucks.
October 2026: Brett McLean hired as Avalanche assistant coach.

Season Trajectory

This hire impacts the team's power play strategy as the Avalanche navigate the 2026-27 season with a 4-2-1 record. The transition at assistant coach serves to re-align the coaching staff after Dave Hakstol departed for the collegiate level.

The Avalanche have scored five power play goals through seven games, including four in their season opener. Fans can monitor whether this coaching change provides the consistency needed to improve upon the 17.1% success rate from last year.

The takeaway

Adding a former player as an assistant can provide unique perspective to the coaching staff. McLean will look to leverage his experience from the Canucks to optimize the power play unit.