The Denver Post reported Monday that Chris MacFarland is joining the Avalanche as an assistant general manager, the same position he held with the Columbus Blue Jackets since 2008. MacFarland, 45, has been with Blue Jackets since 1999.
Jean Martineau, Avalanche senior vice president of communications and business operations, told the Post that MacFarland is "just an addition to the hockey operations staff." Craig Billington and Greg Sherman are also assistant GMs; Martineau said they are remaining with the organization.
MacFarland served as the Blue Jackets' manager of hockey operations from 2001-07. He was promoted to assistant to the GM in July 2007 and the following season was named assistant GM.
MacFarland has served in several capacities with the Blue Jackets: negotiating contracts, pro and amateur scouting, budgeting, and overseeing the minor-league rosters. He was the team's liaison to the NHL regarding matters pertaining to the collective bargaining agreement.
"Sixteen years is a long time, and I have nothing but great things to say about my time in Columbus," MacFarland told the Columbus Dispatch. "They've been nothing but great to me. How could I ask for anything more? And this is a great opportunity before me."
The Dispatch said that MacFarland will be Avalanche GM Joe Sakic's "right-hand man" while working with coach Patrick Roy and have a heavy role in pro scouting.
"I've always said that we'll never stand in the way if one of our guys gets an opportunity to move on and move up," Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen told the Dispatch. "This is really good for Chris and his family."
MacFarland was born in the Bronx, N.Y. He played college hockey at Pace University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in business in 1992 and graduated from the university’s law school in 1998. He's married and has three children.
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Five Avalanche players earned medals at the IIHF World Championship tournament.
Tyson Barrie, Matt Duchene, Nathan MacKinnon and Ryan O'Reilly won gold for Canada, which defeated Russia 6-1 Sunday in the championship game.
Zach Redmond won a bronze medal for the U.S., which defeated the Czech Republic 3-0 in the third-place game.
Canada outscored teams 66-15 while winning all 10 games in regulation.
The U.S. won eight of 10 games and had a 28-19 edge in goals.
Duchene finished with four goals and eight assists, O'Reilly two goals and nine assists, MacKinnon four goals and five assists, and Barrie one goal and five assists.
Redmond had one assist in five games.