Adam Foote would seem to be the logical choice to replace Avalanche assistant coach Andre "Bear" Tourigny. An Avalanche spokesman told the Denver Post that Tourigny resigned to pursue a head coaching position, although there is speculation he might join Ottawa Senators coach Dave Cameron's staff.
The Avalanche also will need to replace video coach Mario Duhamel, who was given permission to pursue another coaching opportunity.
Foote spent 17 of his 19 NHL seasons with the Quebec/Colorado franchise and was the heart and soul of the defense when the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 1996 and 2001. He retired after the 2010-11 season and has spent the past two seasons as defense development consultant with the Avalanche. His No. 52 jersey was retired Nov. 2, 2013.
Foote didn't travel with the team because he coached his son Nolan with the Colorado Thunderbirds. Nolan was drafted by the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League earlier this month. Foote's other son, Callan, signed with Kelowna this month.
The Avalanche's lone remaining assistant is Tim Army, who coaches the forwards and was retained by coach Patrick Roy after he replaced Joe Sacco following the 2012-13 season.
Tourigny and Duhamel, whom the Post reported wants to get back behind the bench, joined the team after Roy was hired.
According to the6thsens.com blog, Tourigny could wind up in Ottawa.
Tourigny was general manager and head coach of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League before he joined the Avalanche. Duhamel was head coach of the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the QMJHL before he came to Colorado.
There also have been reports that the Avalanche could be interested in Benoit Groulx, a close friend of Roy, as an assistant coach. Groulx reportedly will leave the QMJHL's Gatineau Olympiques, where he's GM/head coach, for a position in the professional ranks.