TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning have added NHL coaching veteran Rick Bowness to the position of associate coach on head coach Jon Cooper’s staff today, vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman announced.

“We are extremely pleased to add Rick Bowness to our coaching staff today,” Yzerman said. “With 24 years of NHL coaching experience as both a head coach and an assistant, we are confident Rick will be a valuable addition. We look forward to having him behind the bench next season.”

Bowness spent the previous seven seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, beginning his tenure there as an assistant and later being elevated to associate coach. The Canucks reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs in all but one of Bowness’ time behind the bench, including an appearance in the 2011 Stanley Cup Final.