Former Penguins Lands New Job With Colorado Organization

The Colorado Eagles, the AHL affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche, have themselves a new head coach, and it's someone that fans of the Pittsburgh Penguins are familiar with.

Mark Letestu, who was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Penguins in 2007 after he played in the NCAA for the Western Michigan Broncos, has been introduced as the new head coach of the Eagles.

He's spent the last several years as an assistant coach of the Cleveland Monsters, the AHL affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Letestu spent parts of 6 years playing with the Penguins as well as their AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. During his time in the NHL, he had 29 points (15G, 14A). His most productive season was 2010-11 when he had 27 points (14G, 13A) in 64 games.

But his time with the Penguins came to an end in November 2011 when he was traded to the divisional foe Blue Jackets. Ironically, he would face the Penguins as a member of the Blue Jackets in the 2014 postseason, and had a goal with an assist as he and his teammates were beaten in 6 games.

Letestu then spent time with the Edmonton Oilers, signing a 3-year deal with them in 2015. He would reach a new career-best 16 goals in 2016-17 and followed that up with an impressive 11 points (5G, 6A) in 13 postseason games with the Oilers, who advanced to the 7th game of the WCSF.

He would then eventually play once again for the Blue Jackets, along with a very short stint with the Winnipeg Jets.

In 567 career NHL games, Letestu had 210 points (93G, 117A).