TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 10 (UPI) -- Rick Dudley stepped down Sunday as general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning, but will remain with the club as senior adviser to the president.
The Lightning promoted assistant general manager Jay Feaster to replace Dudley.
After serving as general manager for the Ottawa Senators in 1998-99 and helping the team post its first 100-point season, Dudley joined Tampa Bay the following season.
But in just under three years with the Lightning, Dudley worked with a limited budget and the team posted a 63-123-21-14 record during his tenure.
Dudley spent his first two seasons bolstering the Tampa Bay roster with a handful of young prospects. He then solidified the long-time struggling defense with the acquisition of All-Star goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin, who is tied for the league lead in shutouts this season.
Feaster will oversee the team's hockey operations, effective immediately. Prior to joining Tampa Bay, he spent eight seasons with Hershey of the American Hockey League as general manager, accumulating a 283-267-84-6 record and a Calder Cup championship.
