Tampa Bay Lightning sold to Absolute Hockey Enterprises

The NHL Tampa Bay Lightning has been sold to Absolute Hockey Enterprises, deal still subject to approval.

Tampa Bay Lightning sold to Absolute Hockey Enterprises The Tampa Bay Lightning has been sold to Absolute Hockey, a group including former Florida Panthers coach and Columbus Blue Jackets General Manager Doug MacLean. Lightning will hold a press conference to introduce the new owners and to discuss the details of the transfer later today. The financial side of the deal has not been disclosed.

The sale still need the approval of the NHL Board of Governors. There is an unconfirmed rumor that MacLean will be the Chairman and CEO of the Lightning and John Tortorella will remain as head coach.

The Tampa Bay Lightning won the Stanley Cup in 2004 and have reached the playoffs for four straight seasons. The Lightning recently snatched Kyle Wanvig, Stephen Baby, and defensemen Shane O'Brien, while trading first round pick Nikita Alexeev to the Chicago Blackhawks on the day of the NHL Trade Deadline. The Florida team was eliminated 4-2 this year by the New Jersey Devils in game six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

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The current owner of the Lightning is William Davidson, an entrepreneur from Detroit, Michigan. Among his other pricey sporting possessions one can find the Detroit Pistons of the NBA and the Detroit Shock of the WNBA. Davidson is also the chairman of Palace Sports and Entertainment.

If the deal is approved, the Tampa Bay Lightning will become the second NHL team sold in the past week along with the Nashville Predators.

Published on 08/07/2007