Steve Yzerman may have built the foundation, but it was Julien BriseBois who put the finishing touches on a back-to-back Stanley Cup champion. For that, the Tampa Bay Lightning have awarded their general manager a much-deserved extension. As first reported by TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, BriseBois has signed a new multiyear contract to remain in Tampa.
BriseBois is just 44 years old and already has one of the most impressive front-office resumes in hockey. BriseBois was promoted to GM of the Lightning in 2018 after eight years as assistant GM and GM of the club’s AHL affiliate, at first the Norfolk Admirals and then the Syracuse Crunch. Prior to joining Tampa Bay, BriseBois has worked for his hometown Montreal Canadiens for six years as a director/vice president of hockey operations and also as AHL GM. In addition to these two Cups with the Lightning, BriseBois oversaw Calder Cup titles with the Hamilton Bulldogs in 2010 and the Admirals in 2012.
This extension should squash any remaining belief out of Montreal that BriseBois could take after his mentor Yzerman and return to his hometown team. With current Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin on an expiring contract this year, there was some hope from Habs fans that perhaps the historic team could poach BriseBois. Instead, he will stick with Tampa, which still has one of the most talented rosters in the NHL even after several key departures this offseason. The salary cap could continue to chip away at the Lightning core, but with BriseBois at the helm, the team can rest easy that it is in good hands.
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