TAMPA, Fla. — Barry Melrose is returning to the NHL after 12 years as a television analyst, becoming coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

He replaces John Tortorella and the hiring Tuesday ends weeks of speculation that the former Los Angeles Kings coach was the choice by the Lightning's new owners.

Tortorella was fired June 3, four years after leading Tampa Bay to its only Stanley Cup championship. The Lightning missed the playoffs this spring for the first time since 2002, finishing with the league's worst record.

Melrose coached Los Angeles from 1992 to 1995. He helped the Wayne Gretzky-led Kings to the Stanley Cup finals in his first season. He joined ESPN as an analyst in 1996.

BEDFORD — Nathan Smith and Sean Knapp, both members of St. Jude Golf Club in Chicora, finished third and fourth, respectively, at the West Penn Golf Association Amateur Championship played Tuesday at Bedford Springs Resort.Smith shot a 2-under par 140 in the 36-hole event, finishing third. Knapp shot an even par 142 to tie for fourth.Jeffrey Varga of Monroeville shot 7-under par to win the tournament. Mike Marron of Butler tied for ninth with a 144 while Cameron Peterson of Grove City tied for 27th with a 150.

SEWICKLEY — Joseph Rukas of Sarver fired a 78 to tie for seventh place at the 40th annual Trusted Choice Big "I" Junior Classic-Southwestern Regional at Diamond Run Golf Club Tuesday.Rukas finished three strokes behind champion Tommy Leech of Pittsburgh and Geoffrey Locher of McMurray.The top nine placewinners advance to the Pennsylvania State Tournament July 22 at Penn National Golf Club in Fayetteville.