Branham heads to Colorado as assistant coach

The American Hockey League's Colorado Eagles have named Tim Branham as an assistant coach.

Branham spent the previous eight seasons as head coach of the Utah Grizzlies, compiling a regular-season record of 284-205-76 and leading the team to six appearances in the Kelly Cup Playoffs.

Prior to joining Utah, Branham spent four seasons as an assistant coach with the Reading Royals, capturing a Kelly Cup title in 2013.

A native of Eagle River, Wisconsin Branham played 284 professional games in the ECHL and AHL during his playing career from 2002-10. A defenseman, he was selected in the third round by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.

Branham is the fourth ECHL head coach to be hired by an AHL club this offseason. Former Maine head coach Riley Armstrong was hired as an assistant coach by Lehigh Valley, former Newfoundland head coach John Snowden was hired as an assistant coach by Toronto and former Cincinnati head coach Matt Thomas was hired as an assistant coach by Providence. In addition, former Jacksonville head coach Jason Christie, the ECHL all-time leader in wins by a head coach, was hired as an assistant coach by the National Hockey League's Buffalo Sabres, while former Newfoundland assistant coach Darryl Williams was hired as an assistant coach by the Philadelphia Flyers.