June 24, 2008 | 12:20pm ET
Lightning officially name Melrose coach TheFourthPeriod.com
The Tampa Bay Lightning has officially announced that Barry Melrose is taking over the team as its next head coach.
Melrose replaces John Tortorella to become the sixth coach in club history.
"We are very pleased that Barry signed on to become the next head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning," new owners Len Barrie and Oren Koules said in a joint statement. "We believe Barry offers just what this team needs and it starts with his ability to get all 20 players pushing in the same direction and playing at 100 percent night-in, night out. We like his enthusiasm and passion for the game and we know the fans of Tampa Bay will take a liking to him."
Melrose, 51, spent three seasons (1992-95) as the Los Angeles Kings' bench boss, leading the team to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1993.
"I'm obviously excited to be back in coaching," Melrose said. "I'm especially looking forward to the opportunity to work with great players such as Vinny Lecavalier, Marty St. Louis and Steven Stamkos; they're all such talented and exciting athletes. Most of all, I have missed having a dog in the fight each season, especially at the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs."
