Assistant Coach Wes Walz Relieved of His Duties
Wednesday, 02.24.2010 / 5:48 PM
/ Bolts Report
Tampa Bay Lightning
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Tampa Bay Lightning Assistant Coach Wes Walz has been relieved of his duties today, Executive Vice President and General Manager Brian Lawton announced. Walz was given the opportunity to join the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League as Head Coach but declined.
A veteran of 13 seasons in the NHL, Walz played in 607 career games with Boston, Philadelphia, Calgary, Detroit and Minnesota. He recorded 109 career goals, 260 points and 14 shorthanded goals. He was known as a defensive specialist, amassing a plus-23 rating during his career.
The Calgary, Alberta native made his mark with the Wild, where he played 438 of his 607 games and was a finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the NHL’s best defensive forward in 2002-03. Walz was twice chosen by the Twin Cities chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association as nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.
“We’d like to tha
nk Wes for his dedication to the Lightning organization,” Lawton said. “We wish him the best of luck moving forward in his future endeavors and are extremely thankful for his time with the club.”
Wes Walz was in his second year with the Lightning organization, serving as assistant coach for 143 games, after ending his playing career in December of 2007. His main focus in Tampa was working with the team’s forwards and the penalty killing unit.
A veteran of 13 seasons in the NHL, Walz played in 607 career games with Boston, Philadelphia, Calgary, Detroit and Minnesota. He recorded 109 career goals, 260 points and 14 shorthanded goals. He was known as a defensive specialist, amassing a plus-23 rating during his career.
The Calgary, Alberta native made his mark with the Wild, where he played 438 of his 607 games and was a finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the NHL’s best defensive forward in 2002-03. Walz was twice chosen by the Twin Cities chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association as nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.
