The Seattle Kraken are looking for a new Director of Player Development after Jeff Tambellini moved on to the Tampa Bay Lightning as Assistant General Manager and Director of Hockey Operations. His new position was announced on Monday.
There’s no way he could turn that down and there’s no reason the Kraken would try to hold him back. In fact, after thanking his new bosses, Jeff praised his previous.
“I would also like to personally thank Ron Francis, Jason Botterill, and the entire Seattle Kraken organization for an incredible three years and for believing in me,” Botterill said. “I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity they gave me and for allowing me to pursue this exciting new role.”
Tambellini has been with the Lightning organization twice before, once as a minor league player in Syracuse, New York and later as a scout.
“Jeff has strong leadership and communication skills,” Tampa Bay GM Julien BriseBois said in a statement. “He is organized and thoughtful in all he undertakes. Jeff has a rich playing experience from his time at Michigan, in the NHL, the AHL and the professional ranks in both Switzerland and Sweden. From his previous roles with the Michigan Wolverines, Trail Smoke Eaters, Seattle Kraken and during his previous tenure within the Lightning organization, Jeff has acquired valuable experience with general management of staff and budgets; recruiting and scouting of players, player development and coaching.”
“Tambo” will be assisting in all areas of hockey operations. The 41-year-old former winger was born in Calgary when his father Steve played center for the Flames. Jeff played 242 NHL games, Steve 553, finishing with the Vancouver Canucks in 1998 before beginning a career in public relations, hockey operations and then scouting. Steve was GM of the Edmonton Oilers for five seasons.
The hockey pedigree runs deep. Jeff’s grandfather Addie Tambellini was a member of the last Canadian amateur team to win the World Championships. That was the Trail (BC) Smoke Eaters in 1961.
Jeff earned a Stanley Cup ring when he returned to the Tampa Bay organization for the first time as an NCAA and pro scout for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons. The Lightning won back-to-back Cups in 2020 and 2021.
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