By DAMIAN CRISTOFERO
St. Petersburg Times Staff Writer
The Lightning on Monday hired Jon Cooper as coach of its AHL affiliate in Norfolk, Va., and signed defenseman and 2010 third-round draft pick Radko Gudas to a three-year, entry-level contract.
Gudas, 20, selected 66th overall, had seven goals, 37 points and 151 penalty minutes in 65 games last season for Everett of the junior Western league. He showed raw talent during last month's development camp, and at 6 feet, 202 pounds, he earned praise for crunching body checks.
Cooper, who turns 43 on Aug. 24 and replaces the fired Jim Johnson, spent the past two seasons with Green Bay of the United States Hockey League. He was 84-27-9 and led the Gamblers in 2008-09 to a 50-point improvement, the largest in league history, and to last season's Clark Cup championship.
