Walz and Tocchet to be assistants in Tampa

From Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune:

As I reported in this story June 16, retired Wild center Wes Walz was named assistant coach in Tampa Bay today. New Lightning coach Barry Melrose made the announcement today at his news conference that Walz and Phoenix Coyotes assistant Rick Tocchet will be assistants in Tampa.

Read the entire story here.

Melrose hasn’t been behind the bench in a while, so I am somewhat surprised he hasn’t hired more experienced assistants. However, that does not mean Tocchet and Walz aren’t qualified to coach alongside Melrose because they both have extensive hockey experience.