Bolts to name Boucher new head coach

TAMPA - Multiple reports out of Montreal late Monday night indicated the Tampa Bay Lightning are set to announce Guy Boucher as the team's new head coach.

Montreal sports television outlet RDS stated Boucher, who turned down a head coaching opportunity with Columbus earlier Monday, resigned from his position as head coach with Hamilton of the American Hockey League, the top affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens.

Reports indicated an announcement would be made Wednesday, and Boucher would add his Hamilton assistant coaches, Martin Raymond and Daniel Lacroix, to his coaching staff.

Canadian television station TSN also reported late Monday a deal was still being finalized, but Boucher was on the verge of becoming the replacement for Rick Tocchet, who was fired on April 12.

A Lightning team spokesman reached late Monday could not confirm the report and had no immediate comment.

Boucher, 38, was named the top coach in the American Hockey League this season after leading Hamilton to a 52-11-17 record and a conference final berth in his first season behind the bench with the Bulldogs. Boucher would become the youngest coach in the league. He also led Drummondville to the Memorial Cup finals in Canadian junior hockey the previous season.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/jun/08/report-bolts-name-boucher-new-head-coach/sports-lightning/