Dave Lewis and Rod Brind`Amour Join Carolina Hurricanes Coaching Staff

Carolina Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford announced today that former Detroit Red Wings coach Dave Lewis will join the club as the team's assistant coach.  He will take Tom Rowe's spot behind the bench and will direct the defense.  Rowe will be moved to a pro scouting position. 

Rod Brind`Amour was also named assistant coach as well as development coach.  He will spend some time behind the bench, but Rutherford did not say how much.  Tom Barrasso will most likely be the other coach behind the bench on a nightly basis. 

In addition to that news, the general manager reported that Ron Francis had been named Director of Hockey Operations.  The Hall of Famer will work with Rutherford on a daily basis regarding all hockey related matters.

Tommy Rowe was very well liked in the room, but this change should be good overall for the organization.  Rutherford is very high on Brind'Amour's future as a coach and Lewis brings in a much needed outside perspective.

Head coach Paul Maurice also attended the news conference and endorsed the moves.  He had this to say about Lewis.

"Not only does he make our organization better, but he’s going to make the coaches in our room better and we’re very excited to have him."

Maurice was also pleased to have Brind'Amour join the group.

"He’s just recently finished playing, and he also knows the players very, very well.  Having stepped away from a year, he’s had an opportunity to watch our team from a completely different angle."

For more details, check out CH.com.