Another coaching staff member is out due to new NHL rules

Another member of an NHL coaching staff is out for not having, or planning to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The Colorado Avalanche have announced that former NHLer Brett Clark will not be working for the AHL's Colorado Eagles this season.

"Under the new league protocols, I am not permitted to fulfill my duties on the Eagles coaching staff at this time. I appreciate the opportunity and look forward to resuming my coaching career at some point soon," said Clark in a statement from the team.

Clarke has been replaced as an assistant with the Eagles by Tim Branham, who was the head coach of the Avalanche's ECHL affiliate, the Utah Grizzlies. Clarke is the third coaching staff member of an NHL organization to give up or lose their positions over the new rules, which state anyone who hasn't received both doses of COVID-10 vaccine isn't allowed within 12 feet of any players. Columbus Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen fired newly-hired assistant coach Sylvain Lefebvre earlier Monday. Rocky Thompson of the San Jose Sharks stepped down from his position last week.

While the league has not stated that players must be vaccinated, the new rules make it clear that players who miss time for being unvaccinated - that could mean not being able to cross the border without missing time, or missing time upon return - would not be paid for any games they can't play in.

Clark played just under 700 games in the NHL for the Montreal Canadiens, Atlanta Thrashers, Colorado, The Minnesota Wild and the Tampa Bay Lightning. He ended his professional hockey career after the 2013-2014 season. He was hired by the Avalanche organization almost immediately after retiring.

Jarmo Kekalainen clarified the situation around Lefebvre https://t.co/v1cFT62uFa— NHL Chirps (@nhlchirpz) September 13, 2021

Related: Sharks lose associate coach over new COVID rules

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