Tampa Bay Lightning sold to former Panthers coach

TAMPA, Fla., Aug 7 (Reuters) The Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League was sold today to a group headed by former NHL coach Doug MacLean.

The Lightning has been owned the past eight years by Palace Sports and Entertainment of Detroit, which also owns NBA team Detroit Pistons.

The Lightning won the NHL's Stanley Cup championship in 2004. The team has made the playoffs the past two seasons, but failed to advance.

The new ownership group, Absolute Hockey Enterprises, includes Miami developer Jeff Sherrin and movie producer Oren Koules.

MacLean is the former coach of the Florida Panthers and the former general manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

''This is one of the great days of my life,'' MacLean said at a news conference.

The new owners did not disclose the price of the sale, which must be approved by the NHL. They said they intend to keep the team's current management including head coach John Tortorella.

Reuters SRS VP0045