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Tampa Bay fires coach, GM

Rick Toccet (Tampa Bay Lightning photo)
Rick Toccet (Tampa Bay Lightning photo)

TAMPA, Fla., April 12 (UPI) -- Tampa Bay Lightning Coach Rick Tocchet and General Manager Brian Lawton were fired Monday, the NHL team announced.

The team put out a release in the form of a letter from Jeff Vinik, who took ownership of the Lightning in March.

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"Now that the 2009-10 Tampa Bay Lightning season has concluded, we have decided to replace Brian and Rick," Vinik said. "Our hockey operations department needs a fresh start in order to help us fulfill our goal of being a world-class organization. I'd like to thank both Brian and Rick for their dedication and service to the Lightning."

Assistant General Manager Tom Kurvers will handle team hockey operations until a general manager is hired. Vinik said the search for a new GM and coach would begin after the team hires a chief executive officer.

Tampa Bay finished the season 34-36-12, which placed it 12th in the NHL's Eastern Conference. The Lightning missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season.

Lawton had been general manager since October 2008. Tocchet was hired as the Lightning's associate coach July 9, 2008, and was made head coach 16 games in the 2008-09 season. The team was 53-69-26 under Tocchet.

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