The Florida Panthers have found their man. The team has named former Montreal Canadiens assistant coach Gerard Gallant as new head coach, confirming the news via Twitter on Saturday. Gallant becomes the third Panthers bench boss in the last 12 months. Kevin Dineen began 2013-14 as the teams coach, but was fired on Nov. 8. Peter Horachek was named interim head coach upon Dineens dismissal, but was unable to turn the teams fortunes around. The Panthers went 26-36-4 under Horachek and finished the season with a 29-45-8 record, the second-worst in the Eastern Conference. “He is an individual with tremendous character, integrity and a strong passion for the game and has experience as an NHL head coach," Panthers general manager Dalle Tallon said Saturday. "Gerard is an excellent teacher and motivator who possesses the leadership qualities and hockey knowledge that are necessary to lead our team.” Gallant has worked the last two seasons with head coach Michel Therrien behind the bench, after coaching in the QMJHL with the Saint John Sea Dogs. He led Saint John to to the Memorial Cup in 2011 and coached them back to the tournament in 2012. Prior to joining the Sea Dogs, Gallant served as an NHL assistant coach with the New York Islanders during the 2007-08 season. He also spent seven years on the coaching staff of the Columbus Blue Jackets, serving as the teams head coach from 2004 to 2006. He was also behind the bench as an assistant coach with Team Canada at the 2007 IIHF World Championship in Russia, capturing gold at the tournament. Before joining the Blue Jackets, Gerard was an assistant coach with the American Hockey Leagues Louisville Panthers and led the Summerside Western Capitals to a Kent Cup Championship in 1997 as the MJAHL teams head coach. Gallant appeared in 615 games in the NHL as a member of the Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning. Jarrod Dyson Jersey . The Canadian Luge Association officially named seven athletes to the 2014 Olympic team Tuesday. Edney, will lead teenagers John Fennell and Mitchel Malyk into their first Games in mens singles. Tristan Walker and Justin Snith will represent Canada in doubles, while Gough, will be joined by Kimberley McRae in womens singles. Arizona Diamondbacks Jerseys . -- The Jacksonville Jaguars are bringing back quarterback Chad Henne -- and making him the starter. http://www.diamondbacksteamshop.com/Diam...ey-Kids-Jersey/. - Jordan Addesis shootout goal helped the Plymouth Whalers to a 3-2 win over the Sault Ste. Patrick Corbin Jersey .6 seconds left to give the Toronto Raptors a 92-89 victory over the Boston Celtics in an exhibition game Wednesday night. Jeff Mathis Jersey . Prado stuck his glove down with Colorados Charlie Blackmon sliding into the bag, and quickly jumped back in pain after applying the tag. Prado held his left wrist as trainers came out of the Diamondbacks dugout to check him.LAS VEGAS, Nev. - The last time Anderson Silva clowned around in the octagon, Chris Weidman dropped him on his back and took away his UFC middleweight title. Although Silva is serious about getting his belt back in the main event at UFC 168 on Saturday night, the Brazilian wont say whether hell drop the carefree style that has defined his career. At UFC 162 last July, Silva (33-5) was pretending to be hurt when Weidman (10-0) actually cold-cocked him for a stunning victory. The result upended the MMA hierarchy, catapulting Long Islands Weidman to stardom and ending Silvas near seven-year title reign. "Maybe I have the chance to change things," Silva said at his gym in Torrance, Calif., this month. Silva believes he can reverse the result in the rematch, but he wont swear off the taunting and goofiness that has become his signature alongside his unmatched striking abilities. In fact, Silva doesnt even see his style as anything less than serious. "When I go inside the ropes for a fight, I dont joke," said the fighter known for standing with hands on hips and chin protruding, daring opponents to hit him. "I train hard mentally for this fight," Silva added. "I watched the last fight, and I see my technique, and I talk to my friends and coach. I dont train too much. My mental (approach), I change. It was bad." The 38-year-old Silvas attempt to right a late-career mistake is the most intriguing aspect of the UFCs traditional year-end show at the MGM Grand Garden, but its hardly the only attraction on a stacked pay-per-view card. Bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey will be nothing but serious when she returns to the cage after a 10-month absence for a rematch with Miesha Tate, her despised rival. Veteran heavyweights Josh Barnett and Travis Browne also meet on the main card. While Rousey (7-0) is one of the UFCs biggest stars, she already beat Tate (13-4) with her signature armbar in the Strikeforce promotion lasst year.dddddddddddd All eyes in Vegas will be focused on Silva, an even bigger star who put his career at a crossroads with his loss to Weidman, a formidable wrestler who proved his striking skills with that left hook to Silvas head. Yet Ed Soares, Silvas longtime manager, doesnt expect Silva to fight stiffly or formally in the rematch. "Why would he change? He wouldnt change," Soares said. "Its him. Its like asking Kobe not to shoot a certain way." Under normal circumstances, the method of Weidmans victory — a second-round knockout of a long-reigning champ — would have cemented the Hofstra alumnus as a major star. And while Weidman has grown in stature, Silvas silly mistake got even more attention than the man who forced it. Yet Silva isnt among those discounting Weidmans achievement and expecting Silva to resume his spot on top of the middleweight division. "Chris is the champion, and people need to respect that," Silva said. "Hes a good man. Has a great family. Hes a great champion." Silva trained at his gym in an industrial corner of Torrance. Although tucked into a quiet office park behind a refinery next to auto body shops and a telescope manufacturer, Silvas American home base can be spotted by the Bentley out front next to the big photos of himself. After two years of training in his self-created American base, Silva clearly has a comfortable life. He could walk away from a victory at UFC 168 with his legacy secure and enough money to watch his children grow up in style. Silva doesnt appear to be thinking about retirement, repeatedly mentioning he has eight fights left on his UFC contract. Yet he also recognizes the dangers of his chosen sport when asked whether he would allow any of his children to follow his path into MMA. "I dont like the idea of my sons fighting," Silva said. "Its too much danger. I dont have the heart for this. Im an old man." ' ' '