Eagles Replace Budaj As Goalie Coach And Make Historic Hire

With Peter Budaj leaving for a bigger role with the Anaheim Ducks, the Colorado Avalanche were in need of a goaltending coach for their AHL squad. On Wednesday, they found one, and made a historic hire in the meantime.

Matt Zaba, who played his college hockey at Colorado College, will be Budaj’s replacement with the Colorado Eagles. The 41 year old has spent the last seven years as the goaltending coach for the Tri-City Storm of the USHL. In those seven seasons, the Storm have produced three different USHL Goaltenders of the Year and two of their goaltenders have been drafted into the NHL. Zaba played professional hockey for eight seasons before moving on to coaching in retirement.

Zaba was not the only hire the Eagles made. In addition to Zaba, the Avalanche announced that Kim Weiss, who has been a guest coach for Colorado over the last year through the National Hockey League Coaches Association Female Coaches Program, is the new video coach for the Eagles. If you’ve come to either of the Development Camps over the last two summers, you’ve probably seen Weiss on the ice helping young players out. She spent last season as the Assistant Coach of the Trinity College Men’s Hockey Program in D3. Prior to that she coached in the NAHL and in AAA hockey.

Weiss becomes just the third woman hired full-time to an NHL or AHL coaching staff.

Congrats to both Kim and Matt!

Kim has been a member of the NHLCA Female Coaches Program since its inception in 2020. Her new role with the @ColoradoEagles makes her just the third woman hired full-time on an NHL or AHL coaching staff. https://t.co/wKW7mxAHKm

— NHL Coaches’ Association (@NHLCoachesAssoc) August 7, 2024

“We’re excited to add Matt and Kim to the Eagles coaching staff,” said Avalanche Assistant General Manager and Eagles General Manager Kevin McDonald. “Both individuals bring strong coaching and playing backgrounds and will be valuable additions to Head Coach Aaron Schneekloth’s staff.”

Both will be present at rookie camp and training camp for the Avalanche, which starts next month.