Lalonde joins Lightning as assistant coach

Photo: Ted Sandeen

The Tampa Bay Lightning have named Derek Lalonde to the position of assistant coach, working on head coach Jon Cooper’s staff.

Lalonde, a native of Brasher Falls, N.Y., spent the last two seasons as head coach of the American Hockey League’s Iowa Wild, leading Minnesota’s top affiliate to a record of 69-58-17-8.

His 69 wins and .536 points percentage are the highest totals by a coach in Iowa Wild history. Under Lalonde’s leadership, the Wild posted team records for wins, home wins, road wins, fewest losses and total points in a season.