After a long hiring process, the Soo Greyhounds announced that Denny Lambert has joined the team as an assistant coach.
The move, which was announced Thursday, ends a search for an assistant to Hounds' head coach Marty Abrams that began after the hiring of Abrams and general manger Dave Torrie on April 28.
For Lambert, the move to the coaching ranks is a new challenge. Accepting the position means the end of Lambert's playing career. The 33 year-old Lambert spent last season with the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League.
Lambert made the Greyhounds as a walk-on from Wawa and played his way to being a team leader in his three years with the club. After the team won the Ontario Hockey League championship in 1990-91 during Lambert's overage season, he moved on to the professional ranks.
Undrafted, Lambert eventually played 482 games in the National Hockey League with Atlanta, Ottawa, Nashville and Anaheim scoring 27 goals and 66 assists while accumulating 1, 391 minutes in penalties.
"We're very fortunate to have Denny on board. His dedication to the game, hard work and experience represents everything our club is about. I'm looking forward to working with him," said Abrams in a media release.
Lambert, who signed a one-year contract, remains in the Sault with wife Rhonda and children Denver and Chase.