Steve Yzerman is stepping down as general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning and will be replaced immediately by assistant Julien BriseBois, a person with knowledge of the move told AP on Tuesday.
The stunning turn of events comes days before the Lightning open training camp following a trip to the Eastern Conference final. Yzerman, 53, spent the past eight seasons as Tampa Bay’s GM, a tenure that included four playoff appearances and a trip to the 2015 Stanley Cup Final.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the team had not announced Yzerman’s decision.