Tampa Bay Lightning's Vinny Prospal Joins Blues as Assistant Coach

Tampa Bay Lightning fans will remember Vaclav 'Vinny' Prospal, who has now transitioned from player to coach. Prospal, a former forward for the Lightning, has been hired by the St. Louis Blues as an assistant coach for the 2026-27 NHL season. This marks Prospal's first official coaching role at the NHL level after a diverse coaching career that began over a decade ago. He initially coached his son's team, the Tampa Scorpions 14U AA, before moving on to professional coaching in his native Czechia. Prospal's playing career with the Lightning spanned three different stints during the 2000s, where he played 468 games, netting 127 goals and 371 points. After coaching in the AHL with the Rochester Americans, he is now set to bring his experience to the Blues. Prospal aims to achieve what he couldn't as a player—a Stanley Cup championship—from behind the bench.