Joe Sacco (ice hockey)

Joseph Sacco (born February 4, 1969 in Medford, Massachusetts) is a retired National Hockey League player and current head coach of the NHL's Colorado Avalanche. His younger brother David Sacco also played in the NHL.

Playing career
Drafted in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs, Sacco played for Boston University before joining the Leafs. Sacco also played for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, New York Islanders, Washington Capitals, and Philadelphia Flyers. In 738 NHL games, he had 94 goals and 119 assists.

Coaching career
In the 2005–06 season, two years into retirement from playing, Sacco was hired as an assistant coach for the Lowell Lock Monsters, affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche. On May 7, 2007, after two years as an assistant, Sacco was named head coach of the Colorado Avalanche's new AHL franchise, the Lake Erie Monsters. Sacco then led the Monsters for the next two season's and whilst recording somewhat unimpressive season's numbers with limited resources was credited with helping development of younger players to the NHL.

On June 4, 2009, a day after Avalanche head coach Tony Granato was fired, Sacco was promoted and unveiled as the new head coach of the Colorado Avalanche for the 2009–10 season.