The hockey community is mourning the tragic loss of Hannah Larsen, wife of NHL coach Brad Larsen, who has died following a prolonged battle with cancer. The sad news comes more than a year after Brad Larsen made the difficult decision to take a leave of absence from his assistant coaching role with the Calgary Flames to be with his wife as her health deteriorated.
Heartbreaking Announcement from the Hockey World
The passing of Hannah Larsen was publicly revealed by former Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella during an ESPN broadcast. Tortorella had worked closely with Brad Larsen when Larsen served as an assistant coach under him with the Blue Jackets. Both the Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets organizations have since issued official statements expressing their profound condolences to the Larsen family.
'Deepest condolences go out to Brad Larsen and his family following the passing of his wife Hannah,' read an emotional social media post from the Flames. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with the Larsen family and all of those who knew and loved Hannah.'
Colleagues and Friends Share Their Grief
Pascal Vincent, who replaced Brad Larsen on the Blue Jackets' coaching staff, shared his personal sorrow on social media platform X. 'Yesterday, we received the terribly sad news of the passing of Hannah, wife of my friend Brad Larsen, after a long battle,' Vincent wrote. 'My heart is broken for Brad, their two children, and all of Hannah's family. Sending them all my love and deepest condolences.'
Remembering Hannah Larsen's Life and Passions
Hannah Larsen, a graduate of Georgia Southern University, is remembered as a devout Christian, accomplished artist, and passionate animal welfare advocate. According to her alma mater, she was crowned Miss East Georgia State College Scholarship Pageant winner in 1994. Hannah and Brad were married for fifteen years, and together they raised two children, Faith and Ty.
Her obituary encourages donations to several animal shelters in central Ohio, reflecting her lifelong commitment to animal rescue. For years, Hannah worked extensively with Save Ohio Pets, a connection highlighted through John Tortorella's charitable foundation, The John & Christine Tortorella Family Foundation.
Dedicated Animal Welfare Work
A 2024 Facebook post from Save Ohio Pets detailed the Larsen family's extraordinary involvement: 'The Larsen Family has supported us from the beginning. They don't just sponsor a clinic each year…they show up and put in the work. They bring snacks, shave matted dogs, trim nails, pass out pet food, clean rooms, cuddle animals, and sometimes even take them home.'
The post continued, emphasizing the financial and emotional support: 'The cost to cover all of these services is WELL over $5000 so the fact that 100% of our April expenses have been covered allows us to exhale, and reflect on how thankful we are to have friends like Brad and Hannah Larsen.'
Family Challenges and Resilience
The Larsen family has faced previous adversity, most notably in 2019 when their then-seven-year-old son Ty suffered a serious accident on the family farm. As reported by The Athletic, Ty was kicked in the head by a horse, resulting in a broken jaw that required surgical intervention. Brad Larsen had to rush from a team practice in Detroit to an Ohio hospital upon receiving the distressing news.
Reflecting on the incident, Brad Larsen stated: 'An inch or two higher or to the side … it could have been so much worse. An angel was looking after us.' He added with relief about his son's recovery: 'I'm telling you what … he's gangbusters now. Kids are resilient. He's been a trooper.'
Brad Larsen's Coaching Career Context
Brad Larsen, a Canadian-born former NHL left wing, transitioned to coaching after his playing career. He served as an assistant coach for the Columbus Blue Jackets before being promoted to head coach. In 2024, he joined the Calgary Flames as an assistant coach, a position he stepped away from in December of that year to focus on his wife's health and family needs.
During his tenure as head coach in Columbus, Larsen worked with Johnny Gaudreau, the NHL star who tragically died in a 2024 cycling accident along with his brother. The driver involved, Sean Higgins, has pleaded not guilty to charges including aggravated manslaughter and reckless vehicular homicide. Gaudreau was posthumously honored by Team USA following their gold-medal victory at the Winter Olympics.
Private Memorial Arrangements
The Larsen family has planned a private service to honor Hannah's memory. The hockey world continues to offer support and condolences as they navigate this profound loss, remembering Hannah not only as a coach's wife but as a dedicated mother, animal advocate, and beloved community member whose impact extended far beyond the rink.
