Barry Melrose Named Head Coach Of Tampa Bay Lightning

[Humpzilla]

TAMPA BAY – Barry Melrose has been named thesixth head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning, it was announced by owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie.

“We are very pleased that Barry signed on to become the next head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning,” Barrie and 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.”

A winner at every level he has coached, Melrose spent three seasons (1992-95) as the head coach in Los Angeles, leading the Kings to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in 1993. Melrose, 51, began his coaching career in 1987 when he led the Western Hockey League’s Medicine Hat Tigers to a 44-22-6 record and the Memorial Cup title.

Known for his no-nonsense approach and ability to develop young players, he also coached the Seattle Thunderbirds for the 1988-89 season and the Adirondack Red Wings of the American Hockey League for three seasons (1989-92). Melrose guided the Red Wings to the Calder Cup championship in 1991. He also served as the team’s general manager during his final two seasons.

“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.”

During his 11 years as a player, Melrose played 300 career games as a defenseman in the NHL with Winnipeg, Toronto and Detroit (1979-86), recording 10 goals, 23 assists and 728 penalty minutes. He skated in seven Stanley Cup playoff games with the Toronto Maple Leafs, assisting on two goals and recording 38 penalty minutes. He also played three seasons with Cincinnati in the WHA (1976-79).

Melrose most recently served as NHL studio analyst for ESPN and ESPN2. Melrose appeared regularly on ESPN2’s NHL 2Night, the network’s NHL news and highlights program. He also provided reports for SportsCenter, appeared on ESPN Radio and was a regular contributor to ESPN The Magazine. From 1996 to 2002, Melrose also called regular-season and playoff games for ESPN and ABC Sports (2000-02). From 2003 to 2004, he provided studio analysis for ABC Sports’ NHL telecasts.

In January 2004, Melrose became part owner of the Adirondack Frostbite of the United Hockey League. Born July 15, 1956 in Kelvington, Saskatchewan, Melrose was sworn in as a U.S. citizen in 1998

[Humpzilla]

http://blogs.tampabay.com/lightning/...e-introdu.html

[mike56]

congrats,will stamkos have to wear a mullet?

[thepolishkid88]

I can safely say this si the best coaching staff in the NHL. My god i would love to be teached by any one of them let alone all 3! Tampa is looking alot better.

[Humpzilla]

To sum up the press conference:

Barry Melrose: "We're going to be tough, fast, physical; we'll drop the gloves, and hit hard. You're not going to want to come into this building". He also brought up the McSorley 'illegal' stick from the playoffs.

Sounds like some late 80's hockey is coming our way! I'll post a summary article once it comes available.

[Humpzilla]

....

Melrose introduced as Lightning coach

The NHL's worst-kept secret was revealed this morning when the Lightning introduced former Los Angeles Kings coach and ESPN analyst Barry Melrose as its new head coach during a news conference at the St. Pete Times Forum.

"This is a move we've been really excited about,'' said Oren Koules, co-owner of new Lightning owner OK Hockey, before joking, "and I think we've done a fabulous job of keeping this secret.''

Melrose replaces John Tortorella, who was fired June 3 with one year remaining on his contract.

"I'm thrilled to be here,'' Melrose said. "I'm very excited with what's going on.''

Melrose, who led the Kings to the 1993 Stanley Cup Finals, where they lost to the Montreal Canadiens, said he missed the passion and the competition on the ice. His children's ages and Tampa's southern location were other factors in his decision to return behind the bench.

"I had a tougher time talking my wife into going to Edmonton than to Tampa,'' he joked.

Melrose also was sold on the new ownership grounp, which is expected to be hands-on.

"I'd much rather have people in charge who care than people who don't care,'' Melrose said, "and, believe me, these guys care.''

Melrose said he believes in energy, speed, agression and letting guys be creative. All he asks in return is that they play conscientious defense. He vowed that opponents will no longer be comfortable when they come into the Times Forum and fans will get their money's worth.

Melrose identified Rick Tocchet and Wes Walz as two of his assistant coaches. He said the organization is working on one more.
Posted by Times Editor at 11:12:38 AM on June 24, 2008
in Coaches | Permalink

[BStreetBullies]

I love it, sounds like the Bolts should be a fun team to watch this season. Melrose seems to have the right attitude, hopefully he can get his roster to follow suit, while rough hockey is always fun; it is tough to get the entire team to buy into the notion, good luck Barry, bring us some old school hockey please!!

[Sugden Flu]

Mullet Boy ought to be a big step up from Fonzie the headcase, (at least as far as dressing a physical team). I just don't understand why you bring a sleezy fellon like Tocchet aboard? Maybe Melrose thought he needed somebody behind that bench with him that is even more in love with himself than he is?

[Skorka85]

Originally Posted by Sugden Flu

Mullet Boy ought to be a big step up from Fonzie the headcase, (at least as far as dressing a physical team). I just don't understand why you bring a sleezy fellon like Tocchet aboard? Maybe Melrose thought he needed somebody behind that bench with him that is even more in love with himself than he is?

Oh yeah he's a real hardened criminal, if he had just played online poker instead of taking bets on football he'd be like everyone else.

Barry Melrose, Wes Walz, and Rick Tocchet. I really want to see the Lightning do well this year.

[Cat Smasher]

Originally Posted by Humpzilla

To sum up the press conference:

Barry Melrose: "We're going to be tough, fast, physical; we'll drop the gloves, and hit hard. You're not going to want to come into this building". He also brought up the McSorley 'illegal' stick from the playoffs.

Sounds like some late 80's hockey is coming our way! I'll post a summary article once it comes available.

gotta love it!

[mike56]

Originally Posted by Humpzilla

To sum up the press conference:

Barry Melrose: "We're going to be tough, fast, physical; we'll drop the gloves, and hit hard. You're not going to want to come into this building". He also brought up the McSorley 'illegal' stick from the playoffs.

Sounds like some late 80's hockey is coming our way! I'll post a summary article once it comes available.

all teams say that and his players will give 110% <yawn>

[Humpzilla]

Originally Posted by Cat Smasher

gotta love it!

Seems like intimidation, worth ethic, passion and aggression will be our nightly game play. He also said a lot about how our players will hate to lose for us, and you'll know it when you go to interview them after the game. And with Melrose and Tocchet in the dressing room, I would say you would...

One of my favorite moments of the press conference was when part owner and former player Len Barrie spoke about the time's in which he would play against the Melrose-coached clubs, saying something to the extent of, "I would think to myself prior to the game, OH SH*T! Whoops, I mean 'shoot'...." :chuckle chuckle: !

[Humpzilla]

Originally Posted by mike56

all teams say that and his players will give 110% <yawn>

The difference being is that Barry Melrose coached Gretzky, is highly respected and liked, is considered one of main faces of hockey in North America, beyond Don Cherry, and is about as passionate a coaching mind as there is.

And having Tocchet in the room to scare you probably doesn't hurt you either. And if you don't want to play hard for this new ownership group, chances are you'll be getting sent to the end of the bench. Right next to Andre Roy....

[Isles4life]

Great move, nice that it's finally official.

[blackngold]

Damn straight!