Jackets Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations and GM Scott Howson announced today that Brad Larsen has been named head coach of the Springfield Falcons, Columbus' AHL affiliate. "We are very pleased to announce Brad Larsen as the head coach of the Springfield Falcons and are excited to have him working with our prospects in the AHL," said Blue Jackets Assistant GM Chris MacFarland, who oversees Springfield's hockey operations for Columbus. "He has a tremendous amount of passion for coaching and the game of hockey and will bring great energy to the rink every day." Larsen, 34, joined the Falcons as an assistant coach prior to the start of the 2010-11 season after concluding a 13-year playing career in 2009-10 with the AHL's Portland Pirates. He appeared in 294 career NHL games from 1997-2009, registering 19 goals and 29 assists for 48 points and 134 penalty minutes with the Avalanche and Thrashers.