Report: Boucher takes head coaching job in Tampa!

In his first act as new GM of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Steve Yzerman has found his new head coach. Reports from Rue Frontenac and CKAC had Hamilton Bulldogs coach Guy Bucher as the Lightning’s new bench boss. At 38-years-old, he will be the youngest coach in the NHL.

Earlier in the day Boucher reportedly turned down the head coaching position from the Columbus Blue Jackets. Reports that an offer by the Blue Jackets had been made to the AHL Coach of the Year began over the weekend.

When the Columbus turndown broke, Sportnet’s Nick Kypreos immediately tweeted not to be surprised if Tampa made the next move. He seems to have been right.

The Rue Frontenac piece also notes that Boucher’s assistant coaches, Martin Raymond et Daniel Lacroix, may possibly go to Tampa as well. It had been rumored that the Columbus deal was nixed for the team refusing this option.

The Blue Jackets wasted no time in their search however, as reports are already breaking that Manitoba Moose coach Scott Arniel will be next to be offered the position.

Neither Arniel or Blue Jackets’ GM Scott Howson were available for comment, but there is a press conference now scheduled for noon Tuesday.

Many thought that Boucher would remain loyal to the team that gave him his crack at the pros, and eventually be the successor to Jacques Martin . Last summer the Canadiens relieved Don Lever of his position in Hamilton, despite being considered a coaching candidate for the big club, in favour of Boucher.

The move also brings question what lies in store for Kirk Muller. The Canadiens associate coach has made it public that he is pursuing a head coaching position in the NHL down the road.

TSN’s Bob MacKenzie made some valid points that a switch in positions, between Muller and Boucher, could benefit both the individuals involved and the team.

Alas that is not to be the case. With Boucher apparently on the move, the Canadiens may not allow any other teams to talk to Muller just yet.

It should also be noted though that Muller’s name is, as of yet, not on the guest list of a couple celebrity events that he typically attends over the summer. Only time will tell

New management for LeBlanc camp: Canadiens prospect Louis LeBlanc has new advisors for him and his family.

CAA Hockey, led by agent Pat Brisson now represent family interests for Montreal’s first round pick in 2009. Part of CAA Sports, the organization represents several  pro athletes in different fields. Other noted clients in the NHL include Jonathon Toews, Daniel Briere, Sidney Crosby and Jon Tavares.

Over the weekend, LeBlanc’s Jr. rights were traded from Chicoutimi  Sagueneens to the Montreal Juniors. The move added to the speculation that the 19-year-old would be leaving Harvard, where he was the ECHA Rookie of the Year, or the Juniors or perhaps signing with the Canadiens on an entry level deal.

Brisson says at this point, Leblanc is committed to Harvard.

A pair of autographed Habs pieces for the wall

Autographs are always a great collectible. For me personally, I enjoy meeting the player in person and getting a pic or little anecdote to go along with the experience.

Alas, some of the greats have passed on though the years so if you’re after a Doug Harvey, or John Ferguson sig, you’ll likely need to rely on a reputable source.

Continuing my browsing of Montreal Canadiens items of the June Classic Auctions event, I came across a pair of nice combo autograph pieces that highlights the past legends, both living and passed on.

The first is a great autographed lithograph of seven Habs Hall of Famers. Originally a run of 1000 pieces, this is number 0785 of the series. A great panoramic image of Henri and Maurice Richard, Guy Lafleur, Jean Beliveau, Serge Savard, Bernie Geoffrion and Gump Worsley, all signed by the subjects.

Measuring 18 x 39, it would look great framed up on the wall. Bidding was sitting at just over $200 at the time this article was put together. Considering three of the Hall of Famers are no longer with us, it’s a good one to watch.

The next lot is a piece that I can say I have a copy of.

This print fist appeared in the summer if 1993. I came across it in The Hockey News that summer, after the Canadiens had won the Stanley Cup. Given it was the pre-internet days, and figuring the chance to get all these autographs together was remote, I purchased one immediately. This framed 2ft x 3 ft poster was I believe limited to 1993 copies, so there are a few out there but it’s the first time I’ve seen one up for auction anywhere.

Marking the 100th Anniversary of the Stanley Cup, it bears the signatures of the Richards, Beliveau, Bob Gainey, Yvan Cournoyer and Patrick Roy.

Unlike my piece, which is safely preserved in it’s shipping tube, this poster comes beautifully framed and double matted. The cost of that alone is probably worth the current bid of $250.

Taking it to the streets for local food banks

A great fundraiser to help food banks across Canada will be getting under way at the end of this month.

Five Hole for Food is the brainchild of Richard Loat, a Vancouver hockey fan and contributor to Canucks Hockey Blog. Loat makes a summer ritual of taking hockey related excursions, but this year his adventure will be a series of road hockey games across the country that gives back to the local communities.

He’s recruited some known hockey bloggers, and corporate sponsors (Boston Pizza, Monster Energy Drink, etc.) for the nine city whirlwind trip along the way.

It will all begin in Montreal on June 29th at Parc des Éperviers outdoor rink (86 Rue De la Rivelaine) at 7pm. Proceeds will go to the NDG Food Depot. Kyle Roussel of Cowhide and Rubber is the Montreal host.

From there it’s off to Ottawa, where Down Goes Brown’s Sean McIndoe presides over the activities at Bluegrass Park.

Next stop will be in Toronto for some Canada Day street hockey. The hosts are in place but the venue is to be determined.

The tour then heads west with stops in Winnipeg, Regina, Calgary, Edmonton, Victoria and concludes in Vancouver on July 9.

Notable western blogger/hosts include Tyler from NHL Digest (Regina) and Mother Pucker’s Chris Anderson (Edmonton).

Canucks legend “King” Richard Brodeur is the event’s celebrity ambassador, and more surprise guests may be added along the tour as plans are finalized.

“The Canucks icon is an edition we’re all extremely excited to have on board,” Loat said on the site’s news page. “We’re proud to have his support in our cross Canada trip supporting local food banks!”

There will also be a post-game tweetup/barbeque/gathering so everyone can relax after a hard day’s work.

The full schedule and further information can be found on the site or by email or following them on Twitter.