Lightning name John Tortorella as head coach Ex-Maine player replaces Ludzik

TAMPA, Fla. – Steve Ludzik was billed as part of a new wave in coaching when he was hired by the Tampa Bay Lightning. He exited Saturday like all of his predecessors – without fulfilling a promise to turn the struggling NHL franchise into a winner.

The second-year coach was fired Saturday and replaced by assistant John Tortorella, who becomes the team’s fifth coach in nine seasons. The club’s first game under new direction was Sunday night at Chicago, a 7-4 Blackhawks’ win.

Tortorella played hockey for the University of Maine from 1978-81.

“Obviously, this isn’t under the most ideal circumstances when someone else has to lose their job. It’s the nature of the game and we, as coaches, know that. But it’s tough when you’re working with someone and you have to move into that spot,” Tortorella said following a team workout in Chicago.

“The main focus has to be on the team. The organization decided to make a change and I feel very fortunate to get the opportunity.”

Ludzik was hired in July 1999 and compiled a 31-74-2 record in one-plus years. His dismissal came two days after an embarrassing 8-3 loss at Ottawa dropped the Lightning to 12-20-5-2 with 31 points – fourth fewest in the league this season.

“In today’s game, there’s a new wave of coach,” Rick Dudley, the team’s senior vice president of hockey operations, said the day Ludzik replaced Jacques Demers.

“The old coach said this is my system and you will do it. The new wave says I have to be able to adjust because not everything I do every day is going to work against everything someone else does.”

The Lightning did not prosper under Ludzik, though.

The team became the second in NHL history to finish with 50 losses in three consecutive season last spring, and only Florida, Montreal and the New York Islanders have fewer points this season.

“Coach Ludzik has done so much for me and for the Tampa Bay Lightning organization,” captain Vincent Lecavalier said. “It’s unfortunate that only one guy has to take the fall for this.”

Tortorella, who joined the Lightning this summer, finished last season as the interim coach of the New York Rangers, replacing John Muckler with four games left in the season. He was not retained, even though he received the endorsement of several players.

“We were fortunate to have a quality coach with the experience of John Tortorella within the organization,” Dudley said. “His track record, familiarity and comfort level with the team and our players eases this transition and positions us exceptionally for the future.”

Before joining the Rangers last season, Tortorella spent eight years as an NHL assistant – two with the Phoenix Coyotes and six with the Buffalo Sabres. He also coached the Rochester Americans for two seasons, leading them to the 1996 Calder Cup championship.

While he never played in the NHL, he did play professionally in Sweden and in the Atlantic Coast Hockey League.

Following the team’s first practice under Tortorella, players seemed impressed and eager to move on.

“I think everyone just wanted to come out here and try not to dwell on anything that happened We’re ultimately responsible for what happened here. When things don’t go well, changes need to be made,” forward Brian Holzinger said.