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The Penguins' remarkable midseason turnaround has prompted the team to remove the interim tag from coach Dan Bylsma's title.
Penguins general manager Ray Shero said the team's performance under Bylsma made the decision "very easy."
"Dan has done such an impressive job with our team, both on and off the ice, that we didn't see the need to wait any longer to announce our decision," Shero said in a statement. "He is the man we want to lead the Pittsburgh Penguins as our head coach."
The team was informed of the decision before Tuesday morning's practice.
Bylsma, who was the coach with the Penguins' AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, took over as interim coach on Feb. 15, after Michel Therrien was dismissed.
Under Bylsma, the Penguins went 18-3-4 in the last 25 games of the regular season, earning the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. They clinched their first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia Flyers four games to two on Saturday
Bylsma is a former NHL player, spending nine seasons combined (1995 to 2004) with the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks, and played in the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals with the Ducks.
"I'm humbled. I'm excited. And I look forward to continuing to lead our hockey team," Bylsma said in a statement.
Bylsma, 38, and the team agreed to a multiyear contract on Monday night. Terms were not disclosed.
Penguins general manager Ray Shero said the team's performance under Bylsma made the decision "very easy."
"Dan has done such an impressive job with our team, both on and off the ice, that we didn't see the need to wait any longer to announce our decision," Shero said in a statement. "He is the man we want to lead the Pittsburgh Penguins as our head coach."
The team was informed of the decision before Tuesday morning's practice.
Bylsma, who was the coach with the Penguins' AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, took over as interim coach on Feb. 15, after Michel Therrien was dismissed.
Under Bylsma, the Penguins went 18-3-4 in the last 25 games of the regular season, earning the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. They clinched their first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia Flyers four games to two on Saturday
Bylsma is a former NHL player, spending nine seasons combined (1995 to 2004) with the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks, and played in the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals with the Ducks.
"I'm humbled. I'm excited. And I look forward to continuing to lead our hockey team," Bylsma said in a statement.
Bylsma, 38, and the team agreed to a multiyear contract on Monday night. Terms were not disclosed.
