It was a week ago today that former Guelph Storm general manager and coach Dave Barr was let go by the Colorado Avalanche after just one season. Head coach Tony Granato and assistants Jacques Cloutier and Jeff Hackett were also fired by general manager Greg Sherman.

This was one of the most poorly handled personnel decisions in some time. The Avalanche were criticized from all sides for letting Granato and his staff flap in the wind after a disappointing season. First, the team talked to former goaltender Patrick Roy about taking over as possibly coach and GM. After a couple of weeks Roy turned down the job but then a few days later the team announced the firings.

“I was very disappointed at being let go” said Barr recently visiting family in Calgary. “I think more importantly as a coaching staff we were very disappointed with the year we had. I think it could have been handled better (by management) but as a coaching staff we didn’t know what was going on behind closed doors.”

The Avalanche finished with the worst record in the Western Conference and the third worst overall.

“There might have been a few other teams that had more injuries that us but we seemed to get all of ours at the wrong time and to the wrong guys” Barr said. “The last two months we had ten regulars out of the line-up and played with four unproven prospects on defence.”

Joe Sakic played the first fifteen games then missed the rest of the season because of injury and star players Paul Statsny and Ryan Smyth also missed significant time.

Still, the experience was a fantastic one for the former Storm boss.

“I learned so much working with Tony Granato” he said. “As disappointing as our season was I learned a lot of from him, especially how to deal with people. It didn’t matter what rink we were in he’d always say hello to the ushers or guys working at the arena. He had a way of making everyone feel special.”

Barr signed a three year contract with the Avalanche so he has some time to figure out what is a best for his future and his family.

“Although I love the city of Guelph, the Storm and all the friends we made, I don’t have any regrets about coming to Colorado” he said. “I learned a lot about what it takes to be a head coach in the NHL and I wouldn’t trade the experience.”

As for what’s next, Barr isn’t sure.

“I have some time to look around and I still love coaching and teaching and trying to work with a team to obtain goals. I don’t really want to take any time off, I’d like to get back with an organization that has a chance to win. I will look in the NHL, junior and the American Hockey League to try and find the right fit.”

From the Land of Oz….Barr on former Storm defenceman Drew Doughty: “Early on in the season you could see his offence the flashes of brilliance but when we played them again in January and February you could see he became a hockey player, learning how to react in all situations.”