In a move that was first reported by the Denver Post, former Denver head coach George Gwozdecky, relieved of his duties earlier this offseason, will be named an assistant coach with the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning.
The article states that “…barring unexpected last-minute snags, an announcement of his hiring will come soon, two college hockey sources confirmed Thursday [to the Post].”
The Lightning made the signing official in a press release Friday.
“I am excited to be joining the Tampa Bay Lightning coaching staff and am really looking forward to working with outstanding coaches like Jon [Cooper], Steve [Thomas] and Rick [Bowness],” Gwozdecky said in a statement. “The opportunity to coach in an organization with such highly-respected ownership and excellent front office leadership, as well as a talented mix of veteran and young players in a great community like Tampa Bay is the chance of a lifetime.”
Gwozdecky was fired after 19 seasons at DU and national championships in 2004 and 2005. He reportedly interviewed for the Alabama-Huntville opening, but took himself out of consideration and UAH eventually hired longtime Air Force assistant Mike Corbett.
