TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Lightning announced today the hiring of former NHL forward and Stanley Cup champion Dan Hinote as an assistant coach, according to vice president and general manager Julien BriseBois.
Hinote, 48, brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience to the Lightning bench. Most recently, he served as associate coach for the Colorado Eagles, the AHL affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche, during the past season.
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Under his guidance, the Eagles achieved the best record in the AHL’s Western Conference with a 43-21-5 (94 points) finish. The team showcased an impressive offensive and defensive prowess, leading the AHL in goal differential (+65) and goals scored (250), while ranking tied for fourth in goals against (185).
The Eagles’ successful season concluded with a five-game series loss to the Abbotsford Canucks in the Division Finals of the Calder Cup Playoffs.
A native of Leesburg, Florida, Hinote’s coaching career began with the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2010-11 season, where he spent four seasons before transitioning into a professional scouting role with the club.
In 2018, he joined the United States National Team Development Program as associate coach for the U17 and U18 teams, contributing to Team USA’s Bronze Medal win at the 2019 IIHF U18 World Championships. He then moved to the Nashville Predators as an assistant coach for the 2020-21 season, helping the team reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs in three of his four seasons there.
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As a player, Hinote carved out a 503-game NHL career with the Colorado Avalanche and St. Louis Blues, tallying 38 goals and 90 points. He also played in 72 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, recording six goals and 15 points.
A highlight of his playing career was winning the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2001, where he played in all 23 postseason games.
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