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Sakic put ‘in charge of all hockey-related decisions’ in Colorado

Joe Sakic

Big news in Colorado, as Joe Sakic has been put in charge of “all hockey-related decisions” for the Avalanche, the same team he won two Stanley Cups with during a Hall of Fame career.

Sakic’s new title is Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations.

Meanwhile, Greg Sherman will remain general manager (under Sakic) and Josh Kroenke -- the son of Avs owner Stan Kroenke -- will replace Pierre Lacroix as team president.

Lacroix will stay on as an advisor.

“Joe will be in charge of all hockey-related decisions moving forward,” said Kroenke in a release. “With his credentials, presence and knowledge of the game, Joe will be a key ingredient in making sure that together we reach our future goals.”

Added Kroenke: “Greg Sherman will work with Joe in managing the day-to-day business operations of the team as general manager. I know he is just as optimistic as Joe and I are about the future of our team.”

Said Sakic in the same release: “Last week, Josh reached out to me about the possibility of a bigger role. After those discussions, I really believe that Stan and Josh are committed to this franchise and want us to get back to where we used to be and compete for the Stanley Cup. Because of their commitment, it’s definitely the right time for me to take a more active role.”

Among the offseason priorities for Sakic will be the hiring of a new head coach to replace Joe Sacco.

There’s also the upcoming draft, in which the Avs will get to choose first overall.

It’s highly likely the club will select Portland Winterhawks defenseman Seth Jones with the first pick, which would prove quite the story given it was Sakic’s Avs who played a large role in getting Jones into hockey during the team’s heyday of the late 1990s and early 2000s.