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Forum: Talk Lightning
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More news out of the Lightning:
The Tampa Bay Lightning have hired former NHL goaltender Mike Vernon as special assistant to the vice president of hockey operations today, owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie announced. Vernon’s duties will be to assist in hockey-related matters and to provide guidance to the team’s goaltenders.
“The Tampa Bay Lightning are thrilled to add a former Stanley Cup Champion to our staff,” vice president of hockey operations Brian Lawton said. “Mike’s past experience and knowledge will be a true benefit to the organization and it will be critical to us as we continue to make changes within the team to improve it.”
Vernon, a five-time NHL All-Star who retired in 2002 after a stellar 17-season NHL career with Calgary, Detroit, San Jose and Florida, captured the Stanley Cup with the Flames in 1989 and again with Detroit in 1997. He was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1997 after posting a 16-4 record and 1.76 goals-against average in the playoffs for the Red Wings.
A native of Calgary, Vernon, 45, holds Flames goaltending records for games played (526), wins (262), minutes played (29,649), playoff games (81), playoff minutes (4,773) and playoff wins (43). While with the Red Wings he shared the William Jennings Trophy with Chris Osgood in 1996 after the pair combined for the NHL’s lowest goals-against average.
Vernon was drafted 56th overall by the Flames in 1981 and played three seasons for the Calgary Wranglers of the Western Hockey League. He was added to the roster of the Portland Winter Hawks in the 1983 Memorial Cup Series and his performance helped Portland become the first team from outside Canada to win the Cup. He was awarded the Hap Emms Memorial Trophy as the outstanding goaltender for the series.
After turning professional, he spent most of the next three seasons in the minors before being promoted in January, 1986. That season he helped the Flames to the Stanley Cup Finals before falling to the Montreal Canadiens. He remained in Calgary until 1994, when he was traded to the Red Wings. After eight more seasons divided between Detroit, San Jose, Florida and Calgary again, he announced his retirement on September 13, 2002.
Posted by steve polyak, seminole on 07/18 at 03:22 PM
Well done new owners, Mike will do a great job, with the goalies.
I am sure we will make the playoff this
coming season.
Posted by Mike Joyce, Bangkok, Thailand on 07/17 at 08:55 PM
I sure agree about not forgetting Captain Dave. There would not have been a Cup for the Bolts if it weren’t for his leadership.
Posted by berlin, sarasota on 07/17 at 08:51 PM
I hope new ownership doesn’t forget about Captain Dave.
Posted by Jeffrey A. Taylor, Falls Church, VA on 07/17 at 08:01 PM
Mike Vernon is a strong addition but hardly surprising since he is a former business partner of Len Barrie’s.
Posted by Mike Joyce, Bangkok, Thailand on 07/17 at 05:38 PM
You have to remember that Reese was a back up goalie for pretty much his whole career, whether in Toronto or here. There is only so much that someone who isn’t good enough to start can teach young goalies. On the other hand, Vernon has had a very good career as a starter. How much more did he know as a goalie than Reese to be able to start and win the Cup?
It stands to reason that the team is again stronger for the move.
Posted by Mario Crociata, Jonesboro, AR on 07/17 at 05:16 PM
Another solid move by “OK”! Vernon has credentials and years of experience both within the grind of the season and with extensive playoff appearances. With our young goalies, he and Kolzig should be great assets. Glad to see Jeff Reese gone as I feel he was a large part of our goalie problems. Between the mechanics being taught and Tort’s revolving goalies gone, our young goalies are in a much more stable situation now. It gets more encouraging and exciting everyday! GO BOLTS!!!
Posted by Mike Joyce, Bangkok, Thailand on 07/17 at 04:43 PM
Other than guidance, what do you expect a coach to do? He can’t play the games for them.
Posted by Chris C, Lakeland on 07/17 at 04:36 PM
So is he the goalie coach?
Posted by Mike Joyce, Bangkok, Thailand on 07/17 at 03:50 PM
Great move. Vernon was a really good goalie and should help the goalies on this team, and those still in the minors.
These guys keep making good moves. Let’s keep it up.
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Posted by Dan, Miami on 07/18 at 03:45 PM
Jeff Reese was a great guy BUT when Nikolai Khabibulin, John Grahame, Sean Burke, and Marc Denis all make the SAME MISTAKES. Its obvious they are being told something wrong