The Colorado Eagles' assistant coach of the last five years was expected to get the call after Greg Cronin accepted the Anaheim Ducks' head coach position.
The Colorado Eagles chose a new head coach, and to no surprise, Aaron Schneekloth will take the reins behind the bench.
Schneekloth has served as the assistant coach of the Colorado Avalanche's American Hockey League affiliate for the last five seasons. He was the head coach when the team was in the ECHL, before that. In his two seasons at the helm, Schneekloth led the Eagles to back-to-back Kelly Cup Championships.
“Aaron has been a valuable member of the Eagles’ coaching staff for a decade now,” Avalanche assistant general manager Kevin McDonald said. “He has head coaching experience, is passionate about development and teaching and brings a championship mentality having won both as a coach and player. We are excited to have him lead our group up north.”
The soon-to-be 45-year-old played seven seasons with the Eagles and is the all-time leader in points, goals and assists by a defenseman for the franchise.
The head coach position became vacant when Greg Cronin left to become the new head coach of the Anaheim Ducks in early June.
Schneekloth was the favorite for the position and it should be a smooth transition as this will be his 18th consecutive season with the Eagles organization.
“I am very grateful to both the Avalanche and Eagles for this opportunity. The Eagles organization and Northern Colorado have been my home for nearly 20 years and I am proud of everything we have accomplished there. … I am excited and ready for this challenge and look forward to the season,” Schneekloth said.