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Town Hall Meeting Set For Fans To Question Bolts
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Published: July 10, 2008
TAMPA - Lightning co-owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie are ready to face the fans.
The two principal team owners, along with new coach Barry Melrose and center Vinny Lecavalier - who is expected to sign his nine-year, $77 million contract extension that same day - will participate in a town hall meeting with fans at the St. Pete Times Forum on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The meeting, hosted by television play-by-play announcer Rick Peckham, is open to the public.
Fans can submit their questions via the team's Web site (tampabaylightning.com) or, time permitting, ask at the event in person.
Prior to the meeting, an autograph session with Lecavalier for season ticket-holders will begin at 4:30 p.m. All fans in attendance are welcome to free popcorn, cotton candy and ice cream as well as $1 hot dogs, drinks and pretzels. Prizes will be given away, and games for children will be held on the plaza.
STAFF CHANGES: Tampa Bay announced several hockey operations changes and additions Wednesday.
Greg Malone, father of newly signed free-agent forward Ryan Malone, was named the team's head pro scout; former NHL defenseman Tom Kurvers was named assistant general manager; and longtime NHL scout Jim Hammett was named director of player personnel, replacing Bill Barber, who recently resigned.
The Lightning also named three assistant coaches to Melrose's staff: Rick Tocchet, Wes Walz and Cap Raeder.
Malone, an 11-year NHL player, spent 16 seasons as a scout with Pittsburgh before spending the past two years with Phoenix.
Kurvers, 45, played 11 years in the NHL, retiring in 1995. He spent the past 10 years in the Coyotes front office, the last three as player personnel director.
Hammett was the head amateur scout for the Rangers last season and spent eight years as chief scout for Colorado. He also was the head scout for Hockey Canada's national men's teams for one year.
Tocchet played for Melrose with Los Angeles and spent the past three years as an assistant to Wayne Gretzky in Phoenix, although he missed more than a year on leave and under suspension during a gambling investigation. He is currently on probation.
Walz retired this past season from Minnesota after playing 13 seasons in the NHL, most of those with the Wild.
Raeder, a former pro goalie, spent the past 11 years with San Jose, the last nine as a scout. He also was an assistant under Melrose in Los Angeles.
HUTCHINSON ON BOARD: The Lightning announced the signing of 28-year-old free-agent defenseman Andrew Hutchinson to a two-year contract.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound native of Evanston, Ill., played last season with Hartford of the American Hockey League, recording 18 goals and 64 points in 67 games. His 64 points led all AHL defensemen, and he finished third among all defensemen in goals.
Hutchinson has played in 95 games with Nashville and Carolina, scoring 10 goals and 33 points, and was a member of the Hurricanes' 2006 Stanley Cup championship team.
Reporter Erik Erlendsson can be reached at (813) 259-7835 or eerlendsson@tampatrib.com.
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