Lightning promote Lawton to GM

TAMPA, FLORIDA (TICKER) —With the team still in transition under a new ownership, the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday promoted Brian Lawton to general manager.

The move came one day after the Lightning (1-2-3) gave new coach Barry Melrose his first victory with a 3-2 overtime triumph against the Atlanta Thrashers.

A player agent for 14 seasons before joining the Lightning, Lawton was hired as the team’s vice president of hockey operations on June 25.

“When we hired Brian, his role was not fully defined during our time of transition,” said Oren Koules and Len Barrie, Tampa Bay’s co-owners. “To Brian’s credit, he led us from a hockey operations perspective through the ownership transition and has proven to the insightful, steady and guiding force that we are confident will lead us on the ice to long- and short-term successes.”

Under Lawton’s watch, the Lightning made a number of moves in the offseason, including the signing of former Pittsburgh Penguin left wing Ryan Malone to a seven-year contract.

“I appreciate Oren and Lee having the faith to bestow the title of general manager on me,” Lawton said. “I will do everything I can to drive the Lightning to a high level on and off the ice.”