It’s official; the Seattle Kraken named Lane Lambert as the franchise’s third head coach on Thursday. It wasn’t a foregone conclusion, but based on the likelihood of his hiring, Seattle Hockey Insider presented a bio’ of the 60-year-old hockey lifer on Tuesday evening. Read all about him.
“After conducting an extensive search, we’re thrilled to announce Lane as our new head coach,” Seattle Kraken General Manager Jason Botterill said in the club’s media announcement. “We cast a wide net for suitable candidates. Lane impressed us throughout the interview process with his strategy and vision for this team. He’s found success at every level as a coach and player and was an integral part of Washington’s Cup run in 2018. We have full confidence in his ability to lead our players behind the bench.”
Lambert won that Stanley Cup with the Capitals as an assistant coach before moving on to the New York Islanders organization where he worked for four seasons as the associate coach before taking over the bench for a season-and-a-half. Despite solid numbers, he was replaced.
As a player, aside from close to 300 NHL games played, Lambert won a Calder Cup in the American Hockey League and a Turner Cup in the old International League. Winning is part of his pedigree.
Dave Hakstol coached the Kraken for the first three seasons before being replaced by Dan Bylsma for one season. Lambert takes over a club that’s missed the playoffs the past two seasons and is looking to establish its identity.
