Lightning hire Jeff Tambellini as assistant GM, director of hockey operations

The Tampa Bay Lightning have hired Jeff Tambellini as their assistant general manager and director of hockey operations, the club announced Monday afternoon.

Tambellini, 41, retired as a player in 2017 and eventually joined the Lightning as a scout ahead of the 2020-21 season. He subsequently left to become director of player development for the Seattle Kraken in 2022 and spent three seasons in the position before returning to the Lightning organization on Monday.

A winger during his playing days, the 5’11” Tambellini was a first-round pick of the Los Angeles Kings in 2003 and ultimately appeared in 242 NHL games over parts of six seasons with the Kings, New York Islanders, and Vancouver Canucks. He spent the 2015-16 season as an alternate captain with the Syracuse Crunch, Tampa Bay’s AHL affiliate.

“Jeff has strong leadership and communication skills,” Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois said in a release on Monday. “He is organized and thoughtful in all he undertakes. Jeff has a rich playing experience from his time at Michigan, in the NHL, the AHL and the professional ranks in both Switzerland and Sweden. From his previous roles with the Michigan Wolverines, Trail Smoke Eaters, Seattle Kraken and during his previous tenure within the Lightning organization, Jeff has acquired valuable experience with general management of staff and budgets; recruiting and scouting of players, player development and coaching.

“In his new role, Jeff will be assisting me in all aspects of the Lightning’s hockey operations. I am excited to be bringing him back to the Lightning organization and having him join our management staff. On behalf of the Vinik Sports Group I would like to welcome Jeff, his wife Justine and their two children to Tampa Bay.”

Tambellini is the son of former NHL forward and Edmonton Oilers general manager Steve Tambellini. He won championships with both the Chilliwack Chiefs in the BCHL and the University of Michigan in the NCAA before turning pro in the Kings organization in 2005.

After spending most of his North American professional career in the AHL, Tambellini headed to Europe in 2011 and spent time playing in Switzerland and Sweden before retiring. His pro career spanned 12 seasons and 706 games across the NHL, AHL, SHL, and Swiss NL.