Rumble to coach Norfolk

Here's a nice comeback story.

Darren Rumble will coach AHL Norfolk next season, and promised to try to pay back Admirals fans who watched their team for the first time in 19 years, miss the playoffs. Why is this a nice story? Because Rumble was an assistant to coach Steve Stirling last season and was basically fired when his option was not picked up after Stirling was re-assigned.

Also because Rumble, a former Lightning defenseman, is just a really good guy. Former NHL tough guy Alan May, who had 1,333 penalty minutes in 393 NHL games, mostly with the Capitals, will be the assistant.

An official announcement is expected Tuesday.

"I feel like we owe something to the fans here in Norfolk," Rumble said. "They were pretty spoiled hockey-wise as far as making the playoffs 18 straight years. We sort of let them down a little bit, so I'd like to get the team back in the playoffs.  More importantly, with the salary cap era, you need to develop from within. I think we have some kids who have a chance."

He also said he will make sure to build the lines of communication with the big club and Tampa Bay coach Barry Melrose.

"We're going to make sure we're running the same systems, and have good, solid communication between the staffs," Rumble said

Rumble, 39, played 24 games for the Lightning from 2002-04. He was a healthy scratch for almost all the 2003-04 Stanley Cup season, but used the time to start honing his coaching acumen. He was an assistant at AHL Springfield before Tampa Bay moved its affiliation to Norfolk last season. He also played with Lightning owner Len Barrie for AHL Hershey from 1990-92.

Rumble, who was let go by former Lightning owner Palace Sports & Entertainment, said he approached Barrie and owner Oren Koules about sticking with the Admirals. He said it didn't hurt he knew Barrie, but his familiarity with the team was more important.

"That was huge, knowing the players and being familiar with everything," he said. "That was a big help. And it allowed a little continuity from last year."

Admirals owner Ken Young would not confirm or deny Rumble was coach, deferring to Tuesday's scheduled news conference.

Still, he said, "I do think Darren will be a very good fit for the Admirals. He's familiar with the ownership and the people he's reporting to, and that's good. We're real excited with what the new ownership has done with the Lightning."

 

Comments

[Cleo]

Great news about Rumbler. He is indeed one of the good guys.

[Don in St. Pete]

I think this is a great move by OK. Rumble was never a great player, but played well when he had the chance by using his head, when his physical skills were not as good as those around him. He was always great positionally and would drop the gloves if he needed too. He knows our defensive prospects as well and some credit should be given to him for the great improvement of all our defensemen at Norflok, despite playing for a losing team.

[BillSmith]

Glad to hear it. Always good to hear about former players giving back to the game.

Rumble is a good charactor guy.

[olin storahund]

....good deal, am so glad to see OK getting thing's done at HockeyBay...c'mon now OK-LB we still need a vet tough guy D-MAN

[Not the Marlboro Man]

I hope it doesn't take too long to undo the franchise butchery magnified by the Palace Sports guys...they decimated the farm system and turned a winning team into a joke in the short span of one season. Jay Feaster probably has more conversed fans in Norfolk than he has in Tampa. My hope is that they develop Norfolk into a culture of winning again, as well as a develpoment hot spot for professional players. Over past several years the passion just hasn't been there for the Bolts AHL affiliates. OK Hockey has shown in just a short time that they they want to change that and finally put more emphasis on growing from within.....Finally!

Norfolk isn't too far from Williamsburg and the Busch brewery. There you will find some of the finest barley-hops products available to mankind. It would be a crying shame to let all that fresh good brew go to waste on lousy hockey...for those faithful Admiral fans.

[Leanmean43]

In case anyone was holding out any last hopes that Roy would Re-sign with the Bolts... he just signed with Calgary.

[olin storahund]

...also FYI- johan holmqvist is rumour to join former bolt's andreas holmqvist and andreas karlsson at Frohlunda in the Swelitesen.

[Goalman]

Andre Roy is supposed to be signing with Calgary.

[HockeyBay.com]

SAY IT AINT SO! The Calgary Flames have signed free agent tough guy Andre Roy for the upcoming season.

''Andre is a player with a Stanley Cup championship, who provides us with a dimension that is still important in the league,'' said Flames general manager Darryl Sutter. ''It was our goal to replace that aspect on our team and we felt it was better to do it now than to trade for it as we go into camp.''

Last season, Roy scored four goals and added three assists in 63 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He also picked up 108 minutes in penalties.

Originally drafted by the Boston Bruins in the sixth round of the 1994 Entry Draft, Roy won a Stanley Cup in 2004 with the Lightning.

[olin storahund]

...mathieu darche is rumour to be going to salzburg

[Don in St. Pete]

Sad to see these guys go. I thought for sure it would be beneficial for them to sign Darche to a 2 way contract to play at Norfolk. I guess the new owners have other plans.

[Twinebulge]

"...the Busch brewery. There you will find some of the finest barley-hops products available to mankind."

Boro Man...time to branch out my friend...once you go English or even Sam Adams, there's no turning away from beer with that extra special added secret ingredient...FLAVOR :)

[Not the Marlboro Man]

I prefer my beer not smell like a skunk...and I like to support the american economy. I find that Michelob Amber has the best flavor and Bud Select has good flavor with not as many calories for us over 50 guys. Coors is too much like water and Molson supports Canadian sports. ALthough I have had a Sam Adams a time or two and find it it somewhat appealing.... I find my appreciation for the Busch products to be greatest. Plus the stock is not bad to own either. As long as you can have a beer at a game and enjoy yourself, I'm all for it!

[Casper]

Best tasting beer is OPB. (Other People's Beer)

Long ago I discovered American beer is like making love in a canoe: it's friggin' near water!

Glad to hear about giving Rumble a second chance. He showed nothing in readying kids for the NHL, but that was under another regime not inclined to do so. Perhaps he will be taken seriously by players and management, to achieve objectives specified through his knowlege and guidance.

You never know from where the next great coach comes; glad he's getting a shot.

[Casper]

Best tasting beer is OPB. (Other People's Beer)

Long ago I discovered American beer is like making love in a canoe: it's friggin' near water!

Glad to hear about giving Rumble a second chance. He showed nothing in readying kids for the NHL, but that was under another regime not inclined to do so. Perhaps he will be taken seriously by players and management, to achieve objectives specified through his knowlege and guidance.

You never know from where the next great coach comes; glad he's getting a shot.

[léo]

Y'all catch this?

"News: It turns out Mike Vernon, who was recently named special assistant to de facto Tampa Bay Lightning GM Brian Lawton was the second-biggest investor in the Bear Mountain Resort in Victoria, B.C.

The resort just happens to be owned by Lightning co-owner Len Barrie.

Views: It appears Barrie is assembling a nice little Old Boys Club with the Lightning. He is obviously beholden to Vernon, who hasn’t held a front-office hockey job in his life. And he’s apparently pals with Darren Rumble, who was recently hired to coach the Lightning’s farm team – the Norfolk Admirals - and Wes Walz, who was recently hired as an assistant coach for the big club.

There’s nothing wrong with surrounding yourself with good hockey people whom you trust and think can do a good job. But hiring friends as business associates is risky..."
http://thehockeynews.com/articles/17292-Campbells-Cuts-News-and-views-from-around-the-NHL.html

[léo]

Y'all catch this?

"News: It turns out Mike Vernon, who was recently named special assistant to de facto Tampa Bay Lightning GM Brian Lawton was the second-biggest investor in the Bear Mountain Resort in Victoria, B.C.

The resort just happens to be owned by Lightning co-owner Len Barrie.

Views: It appears Barrie is assembling a nice little Old Boys Club with the Lightning. He is obviously beholden to Vernon, who hasn’t held a front-office hockey job in his life. And he’s apparently pals with Darren Rumble, who was recently hired to coach the Lightning’s farm team – the Norfolk Admirals - and Wes Walz, who was recently hired as an assistant coach for the big club.

There’s nothing wrong with surrounding yourself with good hockey people whom you trust and think can do a good job. But hiring friends as business associates is risky..."
http://thehockeynews.com/articles/17292-Campbells-Cuts-News-and-views-from-around-the-NHL.html

[Don in St. Pete]

NtMM, I agree on the beer issue and while it's not the best tasting or most potent my doc suggested I start drinking the Bud Select as I was approaching the borderline on cholesterol #'s. It's great! I love it, it tastes great and I never get a hangover although my typing sometimes becomes suspect. I'd love to be drinking Binding Pils or Eis-bock or Red Stripe, but I still want to be able to skate without having a heart attack. Leo, Definitely a situation that bears watching, IMO. Seems more and more like Barrie and Koules are equal partners as time goes along.

[PD]

Good catch Leo on the Barrie/ Vernon nepotism. Like I have been saying sports monopoly is fun.

Don I'm with you on the Red Stripe brother!

You sure your doc doesn't have shares in Bud? A bowel of hot cereal daily cures many a cholesteral count.

[Boltflasher]

PD, did you mean "bowel" or "bowl", either way I guess its the same...