Milwaukee, WI--Nashville Predators Executive Vice-President/General Manager David Poile announced today that Lane Lambert has been named the head coach of the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League, the Predators’ primary developmental affiliate.

Lambert takes the reigns of the Admirals ship after serving as an assistant coach last season under Claude Noel, who was recently hired as an assistant for the Columbus Blue Jackets.  Lambert, who will be the 17th coach in Ads history, helped guide Milwaukee to a 41-25-4-10 record, 96 points, a third place finish in the AHL’s West Division, and a spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs. 

“Our organizational philosophy has been to elevate those internally who have demonstrated the ability and potential to succeed with more responsibility, and Lane Lambert is the right choice as the head coach of the Milwaukee Admirals and a true blue-chip prospect in the coaching ranks,” said Poile. 

As the team’s top assistant, Lambert was in charge of the Ads’ penalty killing unit that vanquished 86.1 percent of opponent’s power plays, good for third in the AHL, as well as the team’s defense which allowed less than three goals per game.  The Admirals finished the year strong, posting a 34-14-2-10 mark in the last 60 games of the season after getting off to a slow start. 

“Working with Claude Noel this past season, Lane was faced with challenges such as injuries, call-ups and a revolving roster, and he helped create a winning culture for the Admirals and our prospects,” said Paul Fenton, Nashville Predators assistant GM and Milwaukee’s alternate governor. “He has an innovative mind for the game, is a strong motivator and is respected by the players.”

Prior to joining the Admirals, the Melfort, SASK native served as an assistant coach for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, the New York Islanders’ AHL affiliate, in 2005-06 where he helped to lead the Sound Tigers to a 38-33-6-3 record and a Calder Cup playoff berth.

Before working with the Sound Tigers, Lambert was the head coach of the Prince George Cougars of the Western Hockey League (WHL) in 2004-05 where the team posted a 26-41-3-2 mark. In 2002-03 he was an assistant for the Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL) and helped the team to a 36-22-11-3 record and a second place finish in the East Division.

“We are thrilled to have Lane as our new head coach,” said Admirals Governor/CEO Harris Turer.  “We have a great tradition of on-ice success and we are confident that with Lane’s experience as both a player and coach that he will continue the winning ways for the Admirals.”

Lambert finished a distinguished 18-year playing career with the Houston Aeros in 2000-01. The Detroit Red Wings second pick in the 1983 National Hockey League Draft finished his career with 58 goals and 67 assists for 125 points and 521 penalty minutes in 283 NHL games with the Red Wings, New York Rangers, and Quebec Nordiques. Playing with the Nordiques in 1987-88, Lambert enjoyed his most successful NHL campaign, recording career highs in points (41) and assists (28) in 61 contests.

The 43-year old Lambert also gained significant playing experience in both the American and International Hockey Leagues. He accumulated 107 points (44g-63a) in just 115 games during three years in the AHL with the Adirondack Red Wings, New Haven Nighthawks, and Halifax Citadels. In addition, he notched 131 points (69g-62a) in 302 contests during five seasons with the Cleveland Lumberjacks and Houston in the IHL.

Lambert won a pair of championships during his playing days. The first came via a Calder Cup title with Adirondack in 1985-86 where he posted ten points (5g-5a) as the Wings lost just five games on their way to the AHL crown. The second came during the 1998-99 season when he helped the Aeros claim the IHL’s Turner Cup championship.

Lambert has two kids, Taylor (12) and Samantha (4), and lives in Brookfield, WI with his wife, Andrea.