TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Lightning have hired Guy Boucher (GEE boo-SHAY) as their new coach.
The former coach of the American Hockey League’s Hamilton Bulldogs agreed to a contract after turning down an opportunity to coach the Columbus Blue Jackets earlier this week.
Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman announced the hiring during a news conference Thursday.
Boucher replaces Rick Tocchet, who was fired April 12. At 38, Boucher becomes the youngest coach in the NHL.
The Lightning went 34-36-12 this season and missed the playoffs for the third straight time.
Boucher led Hamilton — Montreal’s top minor-league affiliate — to the second-best record in the AHL this year, his first as a professional coach.
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