Lightning hire Julien BriseBois as Assistant GM

The Tampa Bay Lightning on Friday hired former Montreal Canadiens executive Julien BriseBois as Assistant General Manager. BriseBois will report directly to Executive Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman and assist him in all aspects of contract preparation and negotiation, salary arbitration and player transactions for the Lightning and the Norfolk Admirals (as that team's new General Manager). He will also manage interpretation of the NHL's collective bargaining agreement and the salary cap for Tampa Bay.

"We are thrilled to add Julien to the Lightning management team today," Yzerman said in a statement. "He is regarded as one of the best young minds in the game and he should be a strong asset as we continue in our efforts to build a first class, professionally-run franchise. On behalf of the entire Lightning organization I would like to welcome Julien to Tampa Bay."

BriseBois, 33, spent the previous nine seasons with the Canadiens after joining the organization on Sept. 1, 2001, as Director of Legal Affairs.  In July 2003 he added Director of Hockey Operations to his duties before being named Vice President of Hockey Operations on July 24, 2006. On Aug. 23, 2007, BriseBois was named the general manager of Montreal's top affiliate, the AHL Hamilton Bulldogs, making him the youngest currently in the league. During that time he retained his position with the Canadiens. The Bulldogs improved in each year under BriseBois' tenure, going from 36-34-10 in 2007-08 to 52-17-11 in 2009-10. In three seasons Hamilton went 137-78-25 under his guidance.

"I am excited to join the Lightning today and thank Steve for giving me this opportunity," BriseBois said. "The franchise is on the right track and I personally look forward to getting started in Tampa Bay and doing everything I can to help restore a winning feeling to the organization and its fans.

"I could not embark on this new challenge without thanking the Canadiens organization, in particular Mr. Pierre Boivin, Mr. Pierre Gauthier and Mr. Bob Gainey for the ongoing support and confidence."

A native of Greenfield Park, Que., BriseBois was employed by the Heenan Blaikie Law Firm before joining the Canadiens. During that time he worked in the field of sports law, where he represented several NHL and Major League Baseball clubs in arbitration cases as well as acting as an adviser in contract negotiations. BriseBois also participated in the production of legal documents for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.