Bylsma, 37, spent the past two seasons as an assistant with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and takes over the head coaching duties from Todd Richards, who accepted a position as an assistant coach with the San Jose Sharks last month.


Prior to joining the Penguins in the summer of 2006, Bylsma served as an assistant coach with the AHL’s Cincinnati Mighty Ducks (2004-05) and the NHL’s New York Islanders (2005-06). 

Selected by the Winnipeg Jets in the sixth round (109th overall) of the 1989 NHL Entry Draft, the native of Grand Haven, Michigan went on to appear in 429 NHL games with the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks during a 12-year playing career.  He made his professional debut with the Greensboro Monarchs (ECHL) in 1992, finishing third on the team with 60 points in 60 games.  He also made his American Hockey League debut that season, playing in two games with the Rochester Americans.

Bylsma cracked the NHL with the Kings in 1995-96, and appeared in 220 games with Los Angeles in parts of five seasons.  He joined the Ducks prior to the 2000-01 season, and was a member of the club that advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2003.  He retired from playing following the 2003-04 season.