The Calgary Flames will be shorthanded behind the bench for a while as an assistant coach is temporarily stepping away from the team.
The Flames announced on social media this morning that assistant coach Brad Larsen would be taking an indefinite leave of absence to attend to a family matter.
No further details were released on the nature of the matter.
Flames assistant coach Brad Larsen has taken an indefinite leave of absence from the team to attend to a family matter. pic.twitter.com/rPvc1Fwy7C
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) December 8, 2024
Larsen joined Calgary’s coaching staff last June following a two-year stint as the head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets from 2021 to 2023. He is on a staff that includes head coach Ryan Huska and fellow assistants Dan Lambert and Cail MacLean.
Both Flames and Blue Jackets fans took to social media to wish Larsen well.
Best wishes to him and his family
— AJ the Anti-Oiler Fan (@CdnPat2024) December 8, 2024
Wishing you and your family all the best Brad
— Free Flames Scout (@FlamesScoutFan) December 8, 2024
Best wishes to him and his family 🙏
— C of Red Central (@CofRedCentral) December 8, 2024
Prayers to him and his family for strength to get through this matter!
— Twilla (@cowtowndiva) December 8, 2024
❤️💛
— Harold Cundal III (@HaroldCundal) December 8, 2024
Prayers to Brad Larsen and his family #cbj https://t.co/OLT53Cl0OM
— Sarah (@sarah____kent) December 8, 2024
Thoughts are with Brad and his family at the moment. https://t.co/I3KXVRQcMY
— The Blue Junkies (@TheBlueJunkies) December 8, 2024
The Flames and Blue Jackets organizations have been through a lot recently, with Johnny Gaudreau’s passing over the summer. The two teams came together earlier this month in Calgary and put on a beautiful ceremony to honour Gaudreau’s memory.
As Larsen takes some time to be with the family, the hope is that everything will turn out fine for the veteran coach.
It hasn’t been made clear whether or not the Flames will have a temporary replacement behind the bench until Larsen is ready to return.