The Lightning have hired former NHL forward Dan Hinote as an assistant coach, the team announced today. He fills the vacancy created last month when Jeff Blashill departed head coach Jon Cooper’s staff to accept the Blackhawks’ head coach opening.

Hinote, 48, joins Tampa with a lengthy coaching resume that began as soon as his playing career ended in 2010. After playing his final pro campaign with Sweden’s MODO Hockey, he came back stateside and accepted a role on the Blue Jackets’ bench. He remained in the organization until 2018, although he transitioned away from coaching and into a pro scouting role for the 2014-15 season.

The Florida native returned to coaching after leaving Columbus. He spent two seasons as an associate coach for the United States National Development Team

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