The Toronto Maple Leafs have hired Swift Current's Lane Lambert as an associate coach.

The 59-year-old was the head coach of the New York Islanders for a season and a half until he was let go on January 20th.

The former Swift Current Bronco has spent 13 seasons behind the bench at the NHL level with 11 of those in associate and assistant coaching roles with the Islanders, Washington Capitals, and Nashville Predators.

He began his coaching career in 2002-03 with the Moose Jaw Warriors as an assistant coach before taking over as the head coach of the Prince George Cougars a year and a half later.

In the 2005-06 season, he moved up the ranks to the AHL with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers spending one season then moving onto the Milwaukee Admirals for five season, four of which as head coach.

Lambert played parts of six seasons in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers, and Quebec Nordiques in the 1980s.