Former Trail Smoke Eaters head coach and GM Jeff Tambellini was named Tampa Bay Lightnings' Assistant General Manager and Director of Hockey Operations on Monday, July 7.
Vice President and General Manager Julien BriseBois made the announcement adding that Tambellini will help lead the hockey operations staff and assist BriseBois in all aspects of player personnel decisions, analytics, player development, contract preparation and negotiation, budgeting, scheduling and salary cap tracking.
“I couldn’t be more excited to return to the Lightning organization,” Tambellini said. “It’s where I played, got my first NHL job, and earned my first Stanley Cup ring.
"I’m thrilled to once again work with such a great group of hockey professionals in Tampa Bay. I want to thank Julien for the opportunity to take this next step in my career, and I can’t wait to get to Tampa and get started."
Tambellini will also serve as the Assistant General Manager of the Lightning’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, serving alongside Head Coach and General Manager Joel Bouchard.
“Jeff has strong leadership and communication skills,” said BriseBois. “He is organized and thoughtful in all he undertakes.
"From his previous roles with the Michigan Wolverines, Trail Smoke Eaters, Seattle Kraken and during his previous tenure within the Lightning organization, Jeff has acquired valuable experience with general management of staff and budgets; recruiting and scouting of players, player development and coaching."
In April 2018, the Calgary native was named head coach and general manager of the BCHL's Trail Smoke Eaters.
In his first season with the Smoke Eaters, Tambellini led the club to the Fred Page Cup Playoffs before being eliminated in the quarterfinals. The following year, Trail recorded a 36-17-4 record and swept the Prince George Spruce Kings in the opening round of the playoffs before the season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
During his third season with Trail, Tambellini was hired by Tampa Bay as a college free agent recruiter and worked two seasons with the organization before being tapped by Seattle to become the club’s director of player development.
“I would also like to personally thank Ron Francis, Jason Botterill, and the entire Seattle Kraken organization for an incredible three years and for believing in me," said Tambellini. "I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity they gave me and for allowing me to pursue this exciting new role.”
The hire marks Tambellini’s third stint with the Lightning organization after he was first signed as a player for the 2015-16 season and skated in 65 games for Syracuse, accruing 29 goals and 49 points.
Tambellini returned to the Tampa Bay organization as a NCAA and pro scout for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons and worked closely with several current Lightning staff members, including Director of Amateur Scouting John Rosso and Assistant General Manager, Director of Player Personnel Jamie Pushor.
