Steve Yzerman is stepping down as Tampa Bay Lightning's general manager after making him an eternal opponent.

On Tuesday, a person familiar with the move told the Associated Press that Yzerman was leaving his post and that he would immediately be replaced by his longtime assistant, Julien BriseBois. The person spoke to the AP under cover of anonymity because the team had not announced Yzerman's decision. The Lightning was scheduled to hold a press conference later on Tuesday.

Yzerman's decision comes a few days before the Lightning training camp after a trip to the Eastern Conference finals. The 53-year-old Yzerman has spent the past eight seasons as Tampa Bay's general manager, including five playoff appearances, two trips to the conference finals and a 2015 Stanley Cup final.

BriseBois, 41, was Yzerman's assistant since joining Lightning in 2010. For many years, he was considered a future NHL general manager and took over a team that should face the coming years. .

Tampa Bay is once again a favorite of the Cup, given Yzerman's excellent record of writing, developing and acquiring players. He promoted Jon Cooper to head coach in 2013, re-signed captain Steven Stamkos and hired defenseman Victor Hedman for a long-term contract in 2016, negotiated for JT Miller and Ryan McDonagh at the deadline from last year and Nikita Kucherov got an extension this summer.

Yzerman, a Hall of Fame center with the Detroit Red Wings who has won the Cup three times as a player, took office immediately after his retirement. He began his career as Vice President of Hockey Operations under Ken Holland in Detroit and was a Cup winner in 2008 before being named Chief Lightning.

Holland signed a two-year contract extension at the end of last season to stay at GM's Red Wings.

Three years ago, Tampa Bay won two victories of the second title in the history of the franchise. Yzerman also won Olympic gold medals in 2010 and 2014 as General Manager of Canada.

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