Lightning Name Jon Cooper Head Coach, Promote Rob Zettler to Crunch Head Coach
March 25, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release
Syracuse, NY - The Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL parent club of the Syracuse Crunch, have named Jon Cooper head coach of the Lightning and promoted Rob Zettler to head coach of the Syracuse Crunch, Lightning Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman announced today. Additionally, Martin Raymond will join the Crunch coaching staff as an assistant coach.
"We are proud to announce that Rob Zettler is the new coach of the Crunch. We couldn't be happier that our players in Syracuse will continue to benefit from his wealth of experience both as a long-time player as well as a long-time coach in the NHL and the AHL. Since joining our organization last summer, Rob has been instrumental in preparing our players for the NHL and his contribution thus far is a major reason that the Crunch are currently fighting for top-spot in the AHL," said Crunch GM Julien BriseBois.
" I have had the pleasure of working with Martin Raymond for the past four seasons and I am very pleased that he has accepted to join the Crunch. His communication and teaching skills will be a great addition to our group. With Rob Zettler as Head Coach and Martin Raymond and Brian Garlock as assistant coaches, we believe we have a very strong coaching staff to help our players reach their full potential and ensure a competitive team for our fans."
Cooper was named head coach of the Lightning after leading the Crunch to an AHL best 86 points and 39-18-3-5 record this season. Prior to the Crunch Cooper served two seasons as head coach of the Lightning's AHL affiliate in Norfolk, Va. In 2011-12, Norfolk set franchise records with 55 wins and 113 standings points on their way to capturing their first ever Calder Cup. They also set the North American
Professional Hockey record by winning an incredible 28 games in a row smashing the previous mark of 18.
On April 9, 2012, Cooper was named the winner of the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award as the AHL's outstanding coach, as voted by coaches and members of the media in each of the league's 30 cities.
Upon replacing Cooper, Zettler will become the eighth bench boss in Crunch history. Prior to joining the Crunch coach staff at the start of the 2012-13 season Zettler, a native of Sept. Iles, Quebec, spent nearly four seasons as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Prior to joining Toronto's coaching staff, Zettler spent six seasons as an assistant coach with the San Jose Sharks from 2002 to 2008.
Zettler, 44, played in the NHL for 14 seasons with the Minnesota North Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, Nashville Predators, Washington Capitals, the Sharks and the Maple Leafs. He skated in 569 career games, recording five goals and 70 points. After his retirement in 2002 he joined San Jose as the Sharks Radio color analyst and helped to create the Sharks Alumni Association. He also assisted with the organization's charitable foundation as well as in the fan development department, participating is youth programs and clinics.
Raymond, 45, has been an assistant coach with the Lightning since July, 2010. Prior to joining the Tampa Bay organization Ryamond worked as an assistant for the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs during the 2009-10 campaign.
Raymond served as head coach of the McGill University Redmen for 14 seasons prior to joining the Bulldogs. While at McGill, Raymond amassed a 293-192-35 record in 520 games, including 206-110-30 during the regular season. In 2008 he helped the Redmen bring home the Queen's Cup league championship for the first time since 1946.
A native of Pierrefonds, Quebec, Raymond received numerous honors while behind the bench at McGill. He was given the Father George Kehoe Memorial Award in 2006 as CIS Coach of the Year and was also named the OUA Eastern Coach of the Year in 2000, 2005, 2006 and 2009. Before beginning his coaching career Raymond played five seasons at McGill, registering 109 goals and 253 points in 154 career games. He garnered all-conference honors on three occasions and All-Canadian status in 1991-92, his final season. Raymond was also named McGill's male athlete of the year and team MVP that season. He also won the Bronze Medal with Team Canada at the 1991 Spengler Cup.
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