Avalanche promote assistant Granato back to head coach position

He was known for putting the team ahead of individual accomplishment, sacrificing offensive chances to drop back on defense.

Quenneville was 131-92-23 in three seasons with Colorado, but just 2-2 in playoff series after inheriting a team that was on the slide after a decade of dominance in the NHL.

His departure came one week after Colorado was swept out of the playoffs by the Detroit Red Wings.

Giguere said at the time he wanted the next coach to have an up-tempo philosophy.

"As far as system, we will design a system that allows these guys to show their talents and hopefully have career years," Granato said.

Quenneville was an assistant with the Avalanche during their Stanley Cup run in 1996, then was hired away by St. Louis. He spent eight seasons with the Blues, becoming the team's winningest coach with 307 victories.

"Whatever happens going forward, my memories are all going to be positive here," Quenneville said when his departure was announced.