Walz ponders NHL coaching spot

Jeffrey Thompson, Star Tribune

Wes Walz

The former Wild player has been asked about his interest in being an assistant for Tampa Bay and says the idea has some appeal.

By MICHAEL RUSSO, Star Tribune

Last update: June 16, 2008 - 5:57 AM

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Wes Walz may be venturing into a new career.

Walz, the former Wild center who retired from the National Hockey League as a player in December, has been asked if he's interested in becoming an assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The conversation took place three weeks ago and is expected to continue this week if the Lightning's ownership change is approved, as expected, Wednesday by the Board of Governors.

After Hollywood producer Oren Koules and former NHLer Len Barrie get the keys to the Lightning, former Los Angeles Kings coach and current ESPN analyst Barry Melrose is expected to be announced as head coach.

"I was asked if I'd be interested in a position if it's available, and my answer was, 'I would be,'" Walz, 38, confirmed Sunday. "Obviously I can't officially sign a contract until after June 18, but if it makes sense financially and the term is right, I'm very interested.

"The term has to make sense, you know, three years, for me to uproot my family and start a new life somewhere else."

According to a source, the Lightning is also interested in Phoenix Coyotes assistant coach Rick Tocchet and San Jose Sharks scout and former goalie Cap Raeder to round out Melrose's staff.

Walz, who's played the third-most regular-season games in Wild history (438), has not met with Melrose yet, but he has a close friendship with Barrie. The two played against each other in the Western Hockey League and were teammates with the Hershey Bears, and Walz is an investor in Barrie's real-estate community and resort, Bear Mountain, in Victoria, B.C.

"I haven't got a job yet, and I don't want to jinx it too much by talking about it, but I've enjoyed being an older guy in the dressing room the last few years and working with the young guys," Walz said. "I've seen how [Wild assistants] Mario Tremblay and Mike Ramsey handle themselves, and it's important to have good people around you if you're the head coach.

"Working with kids is something that's always intrigued me, so we'll see where this goes."

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