Denny Lambert makes return to pro hockey

Sitting in the stands wasn’t for him and the opportunity was one he couldn’t turn down.

Denny Lambert has stepped down from his position as director of hockey operations at The Tech and has taken an associate coach position with the Allen Americans, the ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s San Jose Sharks.

“I’m pretty excited to get back into coaching,” Lambert said Wednesday.

Lambert said the opportunity came about within the last month and talks between himself and the team “really picked up in the last week.”

With the Americans, he’ll work with head coach Steve Martinson, who he played with while with the San Diego Gulls of the International Hockey League.

“It’s a time to get my foot in the door and it’s a great opportunity,” Lambert said. “They’ve won a ton and I’m very excited. I’ve never coached pro hockey so it will be very exciting to learn.”

The Americans currently lead the ECHL’s Mountain Division with a 22-13-1-1 record and sit in a tie for third in the league’s overall standings. The team is the defending ECHL champion.

Lambert spent parts of three seasons as head coach of the Ontario Hockey League’s Soo Greyhounds. Lambert joined The Tech in April overseeing hockey operations, which includes the Soo Thunderbirds Junior A team.