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By Ben Tompkins

Melfort Native

Lane Lambert ready to lead Islanders next season

Aug 2, 2022 | 5:00 PM

Lane Lambert is the new head coach of the New York Islanders, heading into the upcoming 2022/23 season.

For Lambert, who was born and raised in Melfort, this will be his first-ever National Hockey League (NHL) head coaching job.

He previously served as the assistant coach for the Islanders, before being promoted after the firing of Barry Trotz.

Lambert also served under Trotz, in Washington, during their 2018 Stanley Cup run. He also has prior experience with the Nashville Predators (NHL) and the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League (AHL).

In a press conference sent to northeastNOW Lambert said it was a pretty good feeling when he originally got the job offer.

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“It’s a good day, something that I have been preparing for, for a long time, throughout many years in the game and many years as a coach and there’s a level of excitement for sure.”

According to him, he’s ready to take the opportunity and lead this team to a high level of success.

“I envision us taking the summer to evaluate what we have and moving forward from there and giving our team the best opportunity to win.”

And while he is prepared to completely take over the reins and coach the way he knows how, he believes there are some things that should never change.

He mentioned it can vary depending on what the makeup of the team is, however, there is always one thing you can control… hard work.

“We reevaluate where we are, what our personnel looks like, going forward and we make whatever necessary adjustments we need to make from there. The one thing that will never change is our identity. We want to be hard to play against, that’s just who we are.”

Having been a player in this league, being drafted back in 1983 to the Detroit Red Wings (25th overall), will likely help Lambert as he’s seen different coaching styles and what players respond to.

Also having suited up for multiple other clubs (New York Rangers and Quebec Nordiques), he’s gotten to experience a good variety of what works and what doesn’t.

That, along with the familiarity of the current Islanders squad and their players has him starting off ahead of the game.

“I think it’s a real tremendous advantage,” he explained. “I’ve been here for four years, working with each individual, for that period of time and I think it gives us the advantage to hit the ground running. We certainly have a good relationship and I think a lot of the players are excited by the fact that they have someone that’s familiar with them, coming in.”

Realistically it’s just about enjoying the opportunity and making the most of it, something he’s done his entire career.

“I just focus on doing the best job I can, no matter what my role is or my position is and you work hard and good things happen,” he added. “It’s a privilege to be in the National Hockey League and I just worked hard and prepared for, potentially one day, having this opportunity.”

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8