Steve Yzerman has stepped down as the general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning and take on an advisory role with the team, the team announced during a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.
In the conference, Yzerman said he is moving on to a senior advisor role to "spend more time with my family." Julien BriseBois will take over as the new general manager.
The move was first reported by Joe Smith, who works for The Athletic.
According to Yzerman, he came to the decision to step down in July, and has worked with owner Jeff Vinik and BriseBois to get things worked out ahead of Tuesday's announcement.
As for how long he will be with the team, Yzerman couldn't comment past this year. He said multiple times that he is committed to the Lightning for the 2018-19 season but wouldn't comment beyond.
During his 7-year tenure at the Lightning GM, Yzerman has five playoff appearances and an appearance in the 2015 Stanley Cup Finals.
Detroit Red Wings fans may think this means Yzerman could come to Detroit following his contract, but the team just signed current GM Ken Holland to a 2-year contract extension in April.
According to Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press, Yzerman told the team he is going home to Detroit.
Pertaining to @JoeSmithTB report of Steve Yzerman stepping down as GM in Tampa Bay, source tells Free Press Yzerman told Lightning players he was going home to Detroit. Has maintained area home while GM of Tampa Bay Lightning.
— Helene St. James (@HeleneStJames) September 11, 2018
