Lightning Hire Assistant GM, Sign Centers

Tampa, FL, United States (AHN) – Coming off a sub-par season and missing the Stanley Cup playoffs for the third year in a row, the Tampa Bay Lightning continued to remodel their roster and front office with a slue of transactions Friday.

Less than two months after hiring Hockey Hall of Famer Steve Yzerman as general manager, the Lightning announced Friday the hiring of Julien Brisebois as assistant general manager.

The team also announced the signing of reserve centers Nate Thompson and Paul Szczechura to one-year contracts.

In Brisebois, the Lightning, who finished 34-36-12 and has reached the playoffs twice since winning the Cup in 2004, are getting a 33-year-old who has spent nine years in the Montreal Canadiens organization.

He also has spent the last three years as general manager of the Canadiens’ top minor league affiliate, Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League.

“We are thrilled to add Julien to the Lightning management team [Friday],” said Yzerman on the team’s website. “He is regarded as one of the best young minds in the game and he should be a strong asset as we continue in our efforts to build a first class, professionally-run franchise.”

Brisebois, who helped the Bulldogs to a 137-78-25 record in three seasons, will assist Yzerman in duties such as contract negotiations and preparation, salary arbitration and player transactions.

Arguably no other team in the NHL has been as busy as the Lightning, who also hired a new head coach in Guy Boucher last month.

The Lightning also signed unrestricted free agent left winger Mitch Fritz and restricted free agents Blair Jones, Mike Lundin and Teddy Percell.

Szczechura, 24, played in 52 games for the Lightning last year and tallied five goals and two assists while splitting time with Norfolk of the AHL.

Thompson, who was picked up after being released by the New York Islanders, also split time in the minors and the big league club.

In 32 games with the Lightning, Thompson had a goal and three assists.

Both will be fighting for a roster spot when the Lightning open training camp in September.

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