TAMPA — The Lightning suddenly have an opening on their coaching staff after assistant Jeff Blashill was hired to become the new head coach of the Blackhawks on Thursday.

Blashill, a former head coach for Detroit and a college goaltender, spent the last three seasons as an assistant to Jon Cooper with the Lightning.

The Chicago Blackhawks' search for a head coach has ended. General Manager Kyle Davidson confirmed Thursday that Jeff Blashill is the guy.