The Nashville Predators will have a new assistant coach behind the bench at the start of the 2011-12 season.  Lane Lambert has been promoted from his job as head coach of the Milwaukee Admirals, the Predators American Hockey League affiliate.

Lambert had a 178-103-28 record in four seasons with the Admirals. Milwaukee made the playoffs each year that Lambert was at the helm. During his four seasons as head coach in the AHL, 25 players have played for both the Ads and the Predators, including 17 of the 33 players who wore a Predators jersey this past season.

“I’ve been in the organization for 5 years and today is an exciting day for me,” Lambert said about the promotion to Nashville. Before being promoted to head coach, Lambert was the assistant coach to Claude Noel during the 2006-07 season.

The Predators were in need of a new assistant coach after it was announced that Brent Peterson was relinquishing his on-ice duties as assistant coach but would stay on with the team in some capacity. Peterson was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease eight years ago.

“He’s been invaluable for our organization since day one,” Head Coach Barry Trotz said at the end of year press conference. “He’s been invaluable for the development of the players, for myself. He is a fantastic coach and a better man, and a good friend.”

Peterson played 11 seasons in the NHL for four clubs, the Red Wings, Canucks, Sabres and Whalers. He was drafted 11th overall in 1978.

Predators General Manager David Poile said hiring a new assistant from within the organization made sense. “Lane is one of the best young up-and-coming coaches in the sport today,” Poile said. “Similar to our philosophy on player development, we believe in promoting from within whenever possible. Lane has successfully coached and mentored more than half the players on our current roster, and many more who are coming through the pipeline, so he will fit seamlessly into Barry Trotz’s staff.”

The Admirals now must start their search for a head coach, which the organization says will start immediately.

While the Admirals look for their new head coach, Nashville might be looking for another assistant before too long. Assistant Coach Peter Horachek is in consideration for the head coach position with the Dallas Stars.  He was also considered for the job in Minnesota.

Thursday afternoon, the Predators also announced the re-signing of goaltending coach Mitch Korn. Working with the organization since 1998, it is no surprise his services were retained. Before joining Nashville, Korn spent seven seasons with the Buffalo Sabres working with Hart and Vezina winner Dominik Hasek.

photo credit: MilwaukeeAdmirals.com