A former centerman of the Oilers, who also suited up for the Jets and other teams, has decided to accept a head coaching job for an AHL team.
The Colorado Avalanche announced Monday that Mark Letestu will become the AHL's coach for the Colorado Eagles. Letestu, 40, arrives after four seasons as an assistant coach in the AHL's Cleveland Monsters.
He and the team were 136-117-23-16 and had earned postseason appearances in the previous two seasons. He has had some prior coaching work as an assistant in the AJHL's Bonnyville Pontiacs during the 2012-13 campaign.
In the Avalanche statement releasing the news, Letestu thanked and stated his excitement for the new opportunity.
'I am excited and ready for this challenge to lead their AHL franchise. Thank you to the Kroenke family, Joe Sakic, Chris MacFarland and Kevin McDonald for their trust in me, as well as a big thank you to Martin Lind, Ryan Bach and the entire Eagles organization. Most importantly thanks to my family for all of their support throughout my playing career and now my coaching career. I can't wait to get the season going.'- Mark Letestu
Before putting on the badge behind the bench, Letestu had 11 NHL player seasons. He had college experience in 2006-07 at Western Michigan University and finished 14th in the NCAA in points prior to signing as an undrafted free agent with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2007.
Letestu played for four NHL teams, two being Canadian ones
He has in his NHL career played 567 games and has 93 goals and 210 points for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets, Edmonton Oilers, and Winnipeg Jets.
His best season in the NHL was in 2016-17 with the Edmonton Oilers when he had 35 points and 11 more in the postseason.
He was good in both ends of the ice, was capable of being reliable in penalty killing, and had 10 short-handed goals throughout his career.
