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TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning have hired assistant coach Rob Zettler, vice president and general manager Julien BriseBois announced. On Jon Cooper’s staff, Zettler joins assistant coaches Jeff Halpern and Derek Lalonde, along with goaltender coach Frantz Jean, and video coaches Nigel Kirwan and Brian Garlock.
“Rob brings extensive coaching experience to the Lightning organization and is very familiar with a lot of our players and coaches,” BriseBois said. “We believe our players will benefit from Rob’s wealth of experience, both as a long-time NHL defenseman and as a veteran coach in the NHL.”
Most recently, Zettler served as an assistant coach with the San Jose Sharks from 2017 through 2019. Prior to re-joining the Sharks, he served as the head coach of the Lightning’s top AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch from 2013-2016. Zettler took over head coaching duties of Syracuse on March 25, 2013 after serving as an assistant coach that season before Cooper was promoted to the Lightning. Zettler coached the Crunch for the final 11 regular season games of the 2012-13 season and led the team to an AHL Eastern Conference Championship and their first appearance in a Calder Cup Final, before falling in six games to the Grand Rapids Griffins. Zettler compiled a record of 108-90-41 in three-plus seasons as the head coach of the Crunch.
Originally from Sept-Iles, Quebec, Zettler has served as an assistant coach with the San Jose Sharks (two stints) and Toronto Maple Leafs. He also played in the NHL for 14 seasons with the Minnesota North Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, Nashville Predators, Washington Capitals, Sharks and Maple Leafs. He skated in 569 career games, collecting five goals and 70 points.
