MORE
Most Recent Entries
- Lightning's Lecavalier to undergo surgery, expected to be ready for camp (info on his poker tourney)
- Lightning fire two coaches
- Lightning hire BriseBois to serve as GM of Norfolk/Assistant GM of Tampa
- Lightning's Blair Jones re-signed to one-year deal
- Lightning to host fundraiser to benefit families of slain Tampa officers
- Lighting's Yzerman to give eulogy for Bob Probert
- Lightning development camp roster groups
- Lightning prospects camp schedule
- Roster for Lightning prospect camp
- Tampa Bay Lightning sign defenseman Brett Clark
- The Lightning's second-day draft picks
- Tampa Bay Lightning 2010-11 schedule
- Lightning announce preseason schedule
- Lightning Chili's Summer Tour
- Steve Yzerman's selection for "capologist'' staying in Detroit
Monthly Archives
Forum: Talk Lightning
|
Lightning center Vinny Lecavalier will undergo a minor knee procedure in Tampa next week that will keep him out 3-4 weeks. That timeframe means he should be ready for the start of training camp on Sept. 17. Here is the official release from the team, which said the procedure is being done for maintenance and to tighten up some areas after Lecavalier reported to the tea feeling some discomfort in the left knee.
The Tampa Bay Lightning announced today that center Vincent Lecavalier will undergo a minor arthroscopic procedure on his left knee on Tuesday, August 24 in Tampa. The procedure will be performed by Lightning Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Ira Guttentag at the Florida Medical Clinic.
The recovery time will be 3-4 weeks and Lecavalier is expected to be ready to participate in the Lightning’s training camp, which begins Friday, September 17.
Speaking of Lecavalier, his annual celebrity poker tournament will be held at Derby Lane on Sept. 10 and features professional players Annie Duke and Joe Sebok as well as other Lightning players and local celebrities. Here is the full info, including how to participate:
The game is on once again as more than 40 sports and entertainment celebrities are set to go “all in” for charity at the UltimateBet.net Vincent Lecavalier Celebrity Poker Classic on September 10 at Derby Lane in St. Petersburg. It’s one of the hottest events of the year, and it’s all for a great cause.
Lecavalier, his Tampa Bay Lightning teammates and UB.net pros Annie Duke and Joe Sebok will be joined by a host of local and national celebrities for the Texas Hold’Em tournament, which benefits the Vincent Lecavalier Pediatric Cancer and Blood Disorder Center at All Children’s Hospital. Since its debut in 2006, the Vincent Lecavalier Celebrity Poker Classic has raised more than $350,000 for the center.
Participants will compete for a $100,000 total prize pool as well as progressive celebrity bounties, so it pays to knock out the stars. Don’t sweat the cards, though, as there are unlimited $100 re-buys during the first hour of play to guarantee you get to enjoy the action. Celebrities will play for a $20,000 Last Celebrity Standing payday to be donated to their favorite charity.
Tournament spots are going fast as individual buy-ins start at only $550 and all entries include a boot camp clinic with 2007 World Series of Poker Main Event champion Jerry Yang.
A $750 buy-in earns you a seat for a once-in-a-lifetime boot camp clinic with Duke and Sebok, and the clinic with Yang. Sponsorship packages including the poker seminars with Duke and Yang, as well as a private lunch with Duke, are also available.
To register, call 727.781.8183 or visit http://www.vinny4.com.
VIP All Access guest passes, spectator passes and individual passes for the poker clinics can also be purchased. Additional celebrity announcements will be made in the coming weeks.
The evening, presented by DEX Imaging, gets started at 5 p.m. with a Private VIP/Players Draw Party in The Derby Club, followed by the Wild Card Party in the Derby Lane Poker Room featuring entertainment, a silent auction, a raffle, gaming, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres for all guests at 6 p.m. The tournament gets underway at 7 p.m., with an awards ceremony to follow.
The Lightning did some house cleaning on Friday, letting go of two coaches, Jim Johnson and Cap Raeder.
Johnson, who ran the team’s development camp last week, served as assistant coach of the Norfolk Admirals at the start of last season before taking over as head coach in January. After leading the Admirals turnaround to a 15-5-1-1 record under his guidance, Johnson was at the center of a controversial move by then general manager Brian Lawton, who promoted Johnson to the Lightning coaching staff and fired Wes Walz without the consent or knowledge of head coach Rick Tocchet. Johnson finished out the season with the Lightning but did not help out on the ice with the rest of the coaching staff before heading back to guide Norfolk to finish the season behind the Admirals’ bench.
The search for a new head coach for the Admirals will begin immediately with new Norfolk general manager Julie BriseBois and Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman leading the search.
Raeder, who also took part in the development camp last week, has served the previous two seasons with the team as the goaltending coach working with the goaltenders both with the Lightning goaltenders as well as the team’s prospects in Norfolk. A long time scout with the San Jose Sharks, Raeder joined the Lightning when Barry Melrose was named as head coach after the two were together in Los Angeles when Melrose was head coach of the Kings.
Tampa Bay head coach Guy Boucher said earlier this week that he would utilize a goaltending coach, a search that will now begin to fill Rader’s role.
The team is also expected to announce the third member of head coach Guy Boucher’s later on Friday. Boucher, who left for a family vacation on Thursday, hired his assistants from Hamilton of the American Hockey League, Daniel Lacroix and Martin Raymond, earlier this week. Boucher said the the third member of the staff, who is expected to be a veteran with NHL coaching experience of some capacity, will be primarily in charge of running the penalty kill and split time on the bench during games with Raymond while also splitting time with Raymond as the eye-in-the-sky communicating with the bench from above.
Here is the official release and statement from the team:
The Tampa Bay Lightning have elected not to retain Norfolk Admirals head coach Jim Johnson or organizational goaltending coach Cap Raeder, Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman announced today. Yzerman and Assistant General Manager Julien BriseBois will begin the search process to replace both coaches right away.
“We’d like to thank both Jim and Cap for their service to the Lightning and Admirals organizations,” said Yzerman in making the announcements. “As we continued to the assess the coaching situations for the two teams, we elected to move in a different direction with both of these positions. We wish both men all the best as they move forward.”
Johnson was named to the position of Norfolk head coach on January 17, 2010, posting a 15-5-2 record. Raeder was hired on July 8, 2008 and worked with organizational goaltenders in both Tampa and Norfolk.
Additionally, the organization has granted permission to Lightning associate coach Rick Wilson to seek employment with other teams, although he continues to remain under contract with the Lightning.
The Tampa Bay Lightning hired former Montreal Canadiens executive Julien BriseBois as Assistant General Manager today, Executive Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman announced. BriseBois will report directly to Yzerman and assist him in all aspects of contract preparation and negotiation, salary arbitration and player transactions for the Lightning and the Norfolk Admirals (as that team’s new General Manager), while also managing interpretation of the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement and the salary cap for Tampa Bay.
“We are thrilled to add Julien to the Lightning management team today,” Yzerman said. “He is regarded as one of the best young minds in the game and he should be a strong asset as we continue in our efforts to build a first class, professionally-run franchise. On behalf of the entire Lightning organization I would like to welcome Julien to Tampa Bay.”
BriseBois, 33, spent the previous nine seasons with the Canadiens after joining the organization on September 1, 2001 as Director of Legal Affairs. In July of 2003 he added Director of Hockey Operations to his duties before being named Vice President of Hockey Operations on July 24, 2006. On August 23, 2007 BriseBois was named the general manager of Montreal’s top affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL, making him the youngest currently in the league. During that time he retained his position with the Canadiens. The Bulldogs improved in each year under BriseBois’ tenure, going from 36-34-10 in 2007-08 to 52-17-11 last year. In three seasons Hamilton went 137-78-25 under his guidance.
“I am excited to join the Lightning today and thank Steve for giving me this opportunity,” said BriseBois this afternoon. “The franchise is on the right track and I personally look forward to getting started in Tampa Bay and doing everything I can to help restore a winning feeling to the organization and its fans.
“I could not embark on this new challenge without thanking the Canadiens organization, in particular Mr. Pierre Boivin, Mr. Pierre Gauthier and Mr. Bob Gainey for the ongoing support and confidence.”
A native of Greenfield Park, Quebec, BriseBois was employed by the Heenan Blaikie Law Firm before joining Montreal. During that time he worked in the field of sports law, where he represented several NHL and Major League Baseball clubs in arbitration cases as well as acting as an advisor in contract negotiations. BriseBois also participated in the production of legal documents for the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and other motor sports organizations.
BriseBois is a graduate of the Montreal University Faculty of Law and earned a master’s degree in business administration from the John Molson School of Business at Concordia University. He is a member of the Quebec Bar, the American Bar Association and the Sports Lawyers Association. BriseBois also sits on the AHL Competition Committee and the AHL CBA Committee.
The two-way contract pays Jones $550,000 at the NHL level and $60,000 at the AHL level, according to capgeek
Here is the official release from the team:
The Tampa Bay Lightning re-signed center Blair Jones to a one-year contract today, Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman announced.
Jones, 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, played in 14 games with Tampa Bay last season, recording 10 penalty minutes and averaging a career-high 12:50 in ice time per game. He has appeared in 38 career NHL games with the Lightning, recording a goal and three points.
A native of Central Butte, Saskatchewan, Jones played in 63 games with the Admirals last season, recording nine goals and 30 points. He was tied for fifth on the team in assists with 21. He represented Norfolk in the 2010 AHL All-Star Game and also won the hardest shot competition, registering a shot of 100.7 mph. Jones set a Norfolk record for shots on goal in a season with 271 in 2008-09, good for third in the AHL.
Jones has played in 263 career AHL games with Norfolk and the Springfield Falcons, recording 48 goals and 147 points.
Jones played his junior hockey in the WHL with Moose Jaw and Red Deer. He played in 249 junior games, recording 61 goals and 112 assists. He was selected by the Lightning in the fourth round, 102nd overall, of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.
The Tampa Bay Lightning will hold multiple fundraising efforts benefitting the Curtis/Kocab Memorial Fund during the Young Guns Game being held Wednesday, July 14 at 6 p.m. at the St. Pete Times Forum. Monies from the fund will go directly to the surviving spouses and families of these officers killed in the line of duty on June 29.
During the Young Guns Game the Lightning Foundation will accept cash donations and checks payable to the Curtis/Kocab Memorial Fund at stations located on the concourse at the Times Forum. The team will also hold a raffle for four Lightning plaza level end zone season tickets, normally a $7,196 value. The winner must be present to claim the prize.
In addition to the donation opportunities the Lightning also announced today that participating in Wednesday’s question and answer session will be Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman, recent free agent acquisition defenseman Brett Clark and 2010 No. 6 overall draft pick Brett Connolly.
Doors for Wednesday’s Young Guns Game will open at 5:30 p.m. with the game getting underway at 6 p.m. The contest will feature two 20-minute periods with a shootout challenge at the end. Following the game fans will have the opportunity to participate in the question and answer session, get autographs from all the prospects involved in the camp and watch the Lightning Hockey Night radio show broadcast LIVE from the XO VIP Club from 7-8 p.m. They will also have the chance to enter to win exciting Lightning prizes and more, while ThunderBug and the Bolt Brigade will be on hand to entertain.
Complimentary parking will be available in the VIP West Lot and they should access the Times Forum through Gate B. Discounted concessions will also be available
Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman delivered the eulogy for former Detroit Red Wings’ teammate Bob Probert on Friday, four days after Probert passed away at the age of 45 from an apparent heart attack while boating with his family outside of Windsor, Ont.
Yzerman and Probert were teammates and often linemates with Detroit from 1985-1994 before Probert left as a free agent to Chicago. Considered one of the toughest fighters of all-time, Probert also combined that with a soft pair of hands around the net scoring 163 goals in 995 career NHL games, reaching a career high of 29 in 1987-88. Although known for his tough-guy role, amassing 3,300 penalty minutes, Probert had a much different demeanor off the ice according to his teammates and friends despite fighting alcohol problems throughout most of his life.
“Very sad to get that news today,’’ Yzerman said when word of Probert’s passing broke on Monday. “He was a really good guy, despite begin a rugged hockey player he was a really kind-hearted guy. He was always upbeat, always happy, always had something nice to say and take time to say hello to your wife and kids. He always had a joke and made everyone feel at ease. He was just a good-hearted person.’‘
For those who might be attending the Lightning’s development camp Saturday through Wednesday, here are the groupings, so plan accordingly:
*Denotes a camp invitee
Note change from preliminary roster that D Kiril Gotovets is not attending.
2010 LIGHTNING PLAYER DEVELOPMENT CAMP PLAYER GROUPINGS
Group One
Defense
Ty Wishart
Adam Janosik
Geoffrey Schemitsch
Brock Beukeboom
Teigan Zahn
Luke Witkowski
Forwards
Brett Connolly
Brandon Hynes*
Andrew Agozzino*
Dana Tyrell
Alex Hutchings
James Mullin
Richard Panik
Mitch Fadden
Goaltender
Dustin Tokarski
GROUP TWO
Defense
Radko Gudas
Mark Barberio
Kevin Quick
Scott Jackson
Joe Hartman*
Forwards
Jonathan Lessard*
Carter Ashton
Dustin Sylvester*
Brendan O’Donnel
James Wright
Alex Killorn
Tim Marks*
Matt Marshall
Adam Krause*
Goaltenders
Jaroslav Janus
Michael Zador
Here’s the release from the team, the schedule is listed below that, the roster is on my previous post from yesterday.
The Tampa Bay Lightning will hold their annual player development camp at the St. Pete Times Forum July 10-14. The camp will feature 31 players and include two sessions per day. All on-ice sessions will be open to the public. The camp will culminate on July 14 with the Young Guns Game, a prospect scrimmage and fan event.
Among the 31 players attending the camp are former first-round picks Ty Wishart, Carter Ashton and Brett Connolly as well as second-round picks Scott Jackson, Richard Panik and Dana Tyrell. Highly touted prospects Dustin Tokarski, Jaroslav Janus, Alex Hutchings and Mark Barberio are also expected to attend the camp. Also on the roster are all eight draft picks selected in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft including Connolly, Brock Beukeboom, Radko Gudas, Adam Janosik, Geoffrey Schemitsch, Teigan Zahn, James Mullin and Brendan O’Donnell. The players attending the camp have played in a combined 62 NHL games, with 48 of those being played by forward James Wright in 2009-10.
The players will partake in a number of various activities away from the ice as well, including presentations on strength and conditioning, nutrition and others. On Monday, July 12 they will also attend a luncheon with team supporters and participate in community service initiatives that afternoon.
The camp will conclude on Wednesday, July 14 with the Lightning’s Young Guns Game. Doors for the event will open at 5:30 p.m. with the game getting underway at 6 p.m. The contest will feature two 20-minute periods with a shootout challenge at the end. Following the game fans will have the opportunity to participate in a question and answer session, get autographs from all the prospects involved in the camp and watch the Lightning Hockey Night radio show broadcast LIVE from the XO VIP Club from 7-8 p.m. They will also have the chance to enter to win exciting Lightning prizes and more, while ThunderBug and the Bolt Brigade will be on hand to entertain. During the event the Lightning will hold a donation drive to benefit the families of Tampa Police Officers David Curtis and Jeffrey Kocab who were shot and killed when performing a routine traffic stop on June 29.
Doors to the St. Pete Times Forum will open 15 minutes prior to the beginning of each practice session. Complimentary parking will be available in the VIP West Lot and they should access the Times Forum through Gate B. Discounted concessions will also be available each day.
Fans interested in learning more about Lightning ticket plans, including the newly released 10-packs, should visit the sales table behind section 104 or call 813-301-6600.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Player Medical Examinations
7:00-8:00a Goalies and Group 1
8:15-9:15a Group II
Morning On-Ice Session
8:30-9:00a Goalies
9:00-9:45a Group I
10:00-10:45a Group II
Evening On-Ice Session
4:30-5:00p Goalies
5:15-6:15p Group I
6:40-7:40p Group II
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Morning On-Ice Session
9:00-10:00a Group II
10:20-11:20a Group I
Evening On-Ice Session
4:30-4:50p Group II Goalies
4:50-6:20p Group II
6:45-7:05p Group I Goalies
7:05-8:05p Group I
Monday, July 12, 2010
Morning On-Ice Session
9:00-10:00a Group I
10:20-11:20p Group II
Sponsor & Season Ticket Holder Luncheon
11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Community Service
3:00 pm Metropolitan Ministries (½ group)
3:00 pmSt. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital (½ group)
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Afternoon On-Ice Session
2:00-2:30p Goalies
2:30-3:00p All players practice
3:15-3:45p Scrimmage all players
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Morning On-Ice Session
9:00-10:00a Group II
10:15-11:15a Group I
Evening Session
6:00-7:15p – Young Guns Game
The Lightning are scheduled to host a prospect camp July 10-14 at the St. Pete Times Forum, and while I’m still waiting to hear official word on the schedule, I’ve managed to get a preliminary look at the roster, which includes all eight draft picks from the 2010 draft, most notably the No. 6 overall pick Brett Connolly. Sounds like the official schedule and roster will be released sometime tomorrow late morning or early afternoon.
Here is a look at the roster, which includes at least three goaltenders, 12 defensemen and 17 forwards. Links of Lightning prospects courtesy of Bolt Prospects others come from HockeyDB.com
A * represents a camp invitee
Goaltenders
Dustin Tokarski
Jaroslav Janus
Michael Zador
Defense
Mark Barberio
Brock Beukeboom
Kiril Gotovets
Radko Gudas
Joe Hartman* - Miami (Oh) University, 6-4, 200
Scott Jackson
Adam Janosik
Kevin Quick
Geoffrey Schemitsch
Ty Wishart
Luke Witkowski
Teigan Zahn
Forwards
Andrew Agozzino* Niagra (OHL)/Peoria (AHL), 5-9, 185
Carter Ashton
Brett Connolly
Mitch Fadden
Alex Hutchings
Brandon Hynes* Victoriaville (QMJHL), 5-8, 170
Alex Killorn
Adam Krause* Update, the previous link I had from hockeydb was for Adam’s older brother Joe, who is not the same person. Thanks for the tip from @ChrisDilks on twitter from WesternCollegeHockeyblog.com for the correction.
Jonathan Lessard* Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL), 6-0, 162
Tim Marks* signed by Norfolk to AHL contract, 6-2, 217
Matt Marshall
James Mullin
Brendan O’Donnell
Richard Panik
Dustin Sylvester* Kootenay (OHL)/Lake Erie (AHL), 5-7, 170
Dana Tyrell
James Wright
Sounds like the coaches who will run the camp are Jim Johnson, Nigel Kirwan, Cap Raeder and Barry Karn.
The Lightning didn’t stay quiet too long, dipping back into the free agent market after a two-day break for the holiday weekend, signing Brett Clark to a two-year contract, UPDATE Salary looks like it’s $2.6 million total, or $1.3 million per year UPDATE . Sounds like a good signing, somebody who skates well and moves the puck. Could be a good fit for a Guy Boucher, up-tempo system. Had decent numbers in Colorado the past few years, should slot in as a No. 5 I would think at this point behind Ohlund, Hedman, Kubina and Lundin.
Lot of defensemen starting to stack up right now, have to wonder where guys like Lashoff, Smaby, Mihalik fit it at this point, although Lashoff might be a good fit with his skating ability.
You can read about the initial signing here
CORREX: OK, I’ve been corrected on the actual salaries for Clark, he will make $3 million total, $1.7 million this season and $1.3 million next season for a cap hit of $1.5 million.
Man, I really wish either the team or the PA would just come out and announce what the acutal numbers are, too much interest in salary cap nowadays with teams.
LIGHTNING DRAFT PICKS
A look at the seven selections made by the Tampa Bay Lightning on the second day of the NHL Entry Draft:
Pos: D
Selected: 63rd (third round)
Vitals: 6-1, 202 pounds
Born: April 1, 1992 in Greenwich, Conn.
Need to know: Son of former 14-year NHL defenseman Jeff Beukeboom, a four-time Stanley Cup winner. … Has represented Canada three times, 2010 Under-18 Worlds, 2009 Ivan Hlincka Memorial Tourament and with Team Ontario at the World Under-17 Challenge. … Registered hardest shot, 92.4 mph, at 2010 Top Prospects game. …
Comment from player personnel director Jim Hammett: “He’s a versatile defenseman, he passes the puck pretty well and gives you an element of toughness, as well.’‘
Pos: D
Selected: 66th (third round)
Vitals: 6-0, 190 pounds
Born: June 5, 1990 in Kladno, Czech Republic
Need to know: Compiled seven goals, 37 points and 151 penalty minutes in 65 games with Everett of the Western Hockey League
Comment from player personnel director Jim Hammett: “He’s a stay-at-home, shutdown defenseman. He plays in-your-face hockey, an antagonistic style of play. I compare him to Darius Kasparaitus . . . not the tallest guy but very thick and solid. He plays hard against you.’‘
Pos: D
Selected: 72nd (third round)
Vitals: 5-11, 170 pounds
Born: Sept. 7, 1992 in Spiska Nova Ves, Slovakia
Need to know: Finished his second year with Gatineau of the Quebec League scoring nine goals and 35 points in 63 games to go with 45 penalty minutes. … Had five goals in 10 playoff games.
Comment from player personnel director Jim Hammett: “He’s not the biggest guy in the world, but the reason we like him is he plays bigger than he is. He’s got a gritty side to his game and he’s got very good puck skills.’‘
Pos: D
Selected: 96th (fourth round)
Vitals: 6-1, 180 pounds
Born: April 1, 1992 in Toronto, Ont.
Need to know: Finished first season in Owen Sound of OHL with four goals and 40 points in 62 games after going undrafted in the OHL Priority Draft. …
Comment from chief amateur scout Darryl Plandowski: “He’s a guy that played midget (level) two years ago, was a rookie in the OHL and just got better, and better and better. Good size and just a real smart and skilled player who needs to get bigger. We’ll give him time.’‘
Pos: RW/C
Selected: 118th (fourth round)
Vitals: 5-10, 152 pounds
Born: Feb. 24, 1992 in Philadelphia, Pa.
Need to know: Attended high school power Shattuck St. Mary’s in Minnesota. … Scored 32 goals and 72 points in 55 games this season. … Scheduled to play for Fargo in the United States Hockey League next season. … Committed to play at Miami (Ohio) University in 2011-12. …
Comment from Plandowski: “Not big, but he is dynamic. He’s going to have to get stronger, but as far as skating, skill an dsense he was as good as anybody on that Shattuck team.’‘
Pos: C
Selected: 156th (sixth round)
Vitals: 6-0, 185 pounds
Born: June 25, 1992 in Flin Flon, Manitoba
Need to know: Scheduled to attend University of North Dakota in the fall. … Was the rookie of the year in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. … Scored 29 goals and 61 points in 53 games with Winnipeg South of the MJHL
Comment from Plandowski: “He needs some time to get stronger, as any young man, but he’s smart and a good puck mover. Just a smart, hard-nosed, puck-moving guy.’‘
Pos: D
Selected: 186th (seventh round)
Vitals: 6-2, 214 pounds
Born: Jan. 4, 1990 in Regina, Saskatoon
Need to know: Originally selected by the Chicago Blackhawks two years ago but never signed. … Finished his fourth season with Saskatoon of the WHL, picking up three assists and 84 penalty minutes in 44 games. … Had nine goals, 35 points and 264 penalty minutes in previous two seasons combined.
Comment from Hammett: “I’m really excited where we got him, just for the fact that I don’t think he’s that far away from being a pro. He’s a big, strong guy who plays a shutdown style. I really think he can challenge for a spot in Norfolk this year.’‘
DATE DAY OPPONENT TIME
OCT. 9 Sat. Atlanta 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 13 Wed. @ Montreal 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 14 Thu. @ Philadelphia 7 p.m.
Oct. 16 Sat. @ Florida 7 p.m.
Oct. 18 Mon. Dallas 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 21 Thu. NY Islanders 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 22 Fri. @ Atlanta 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 24 Sun. Nashville 6 p.m.
Oct. 27 Wed. Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 30 Sat. @ Phoenix 8 p.m.
Nov. 3 Wed. @ Anaheim 10 p.m.
Nov. 4 Thu. @ Los Angeles 10:30 p.m.
Nov. 6 Sat. @ San Jose 10:30 p.m.
Nov. 9 Tue. Toronto 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 11 Thu. @ Washington 7 p.m.
Nov. 12 Fri. @ Pittsburgh 7 p.m.
Nov. 14 Sun. Minnesota 5 p.m.
Nov. 17 Wed. @ NY Islanders 7 p.m.
Nov. 18 Thu. @ Philadelphia 7 p.m.
Nov. 20 Sat. @ Buffalo 7 p.m.
Nov. 22 Mon. Boston 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 24 Wed. NY Rangers 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 26 Fri. @ Washington 5 p.m.
Nov. 27 Sat. Florida 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 30 Tue. @ Toronto 7 p.m.
Dec. 2 Thu. @ Boston 7 p.m.
Dec. 4 Sat. Colorado 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 7 Tue. @ Calgary 9 p.m.
Dec. 10 Fri. @ Edmonton 9 p.m.
Dec. 11 Sat. @ Vancouver 10 p.m.
Dec. 15 Wed. Atlanta 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 18 Sat. Buffalo 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 20 Mon. Carolina 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 22 Wed. @ NY Islanders 7 p.m.
Dec. 23 Thu. @ NY Rangers 7 p.m.
Dec. 26 Sun. @ Atlanta 7 p.m.
Dec. 28 Tue. Boston 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 30 Thu. Montreal 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 1 Sat. NY Rangers 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 4 Tue. @ Washington 7 p.m.
Jan. 5 Wed. @ Pittsburgh 7 p.m.
Jan. 8 Sat. @ Ottawa 7 p.m.
Jan. 9 Sun. @ New Jersey 5 p.m.
Jan. 12 Wed. Washington 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 14 Fri. New Jersey 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 15 Sat. @ Carolina 7 p.m.
Jan. 18 Tue. Columbus 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 20 Thu. @ Atlanta 7 p.m.
Jan. 21 Fri. @ Florida 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 23 Sun. Atlanta 5 p.m.
Jan. 25 Tue. Toronto 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 1 Tue. Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 4 Fri. Washington 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 6 Sun. St. Louis 3 p.m.
Feb. 8 Tue. Buffalo 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 12 Sat. Carolina 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 15 Tue. Philadelphia 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 17 Thu. Detroit 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 19 Sat. Florida 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 23 Wed. Phoenix 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 25 Fri. New Jersey 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 27 Sun. @ NY Rangers 1 p.m.
Mar. 2 Wed. @ New Jersey 7 p.m.
Mar. 3 Thu. @ Boston 7 p.m.
Mar. 5 Sat. Montreal 7:30 p.m.
Mar. 7 Mon. Washington 7 p.m.
Mar. 9 Wed. Chicago 7:30 p.m.
Mar. 11 Fri. Ottawa 7:30 p.m.
Mar. 12 Sat. @ Florida 7 p.m.
Mar. 14 Mon. @ Toronto 7 p.m.
Mar. 17 Thu. @ Montreal 7:30 p.m.
Mar. 19 Sat. @ Ottawa 7 p.m.
Mar. 22 Tue. NY Islanders 7:30 p.m.
Mar. 25 Fri. Carolina 7:30 p.m.
Mar. 26 Sat. @ Carolina 7 p.m.
Mar. 29 Tue. Ottawa 7:30 p.m.
Mar. 31 Thu. Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m.
Apr. 2 Sat. @ Minnesota 2 p.m.
Apr. 3 Sun. @ Chicago 7 p.m.
Apr. 5 Tue. @ Buffalo 7 p.m.
Apr. 8 Fri. Florida 7:30 p.m.
Apr. 9 Sat. @ Carolina 7 p.m.
The Tampa Bay Lightning will play six preseason games in 2010, including one at the St. Pete Times Forum. Highlights of the schedule include a match-up with the Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba on September 22 as well as a home-and-home series with the Florida Panthers on October 1 and 2. Prices and a ticket on-sale date for the preseason game at the St. Pete Times Forum will be announced at a later time. All full season ticket holders will receive the game as part of their ticket plan free of charge.
The Lightning will open the 2010 preseason on Tuesday, September 21 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas against the Stars. The team will then head to Winnipeg for a showdown with the Blackhawks, marking the second consecutive year Tampa Bay has played at the MTS Centre. The Bolts will then play in Edmonton, Alberta when they take on the Oilers at Rexall Place on September 23 before continuing the preseason on September 25 against the Calgary Flames at the Pengrowth Saddledome. The Lightning will then return to Florida to take on the Panthers in Sunrise on October 1 and play their only home game of the preseason against Florida on October 2.
This year will mark the sixth time in the previous five years the Lightning will take on the Dallas Stars. Conversely, 2010 will mark the first time in franchise history the Bolts will play the Blackhawks, Oilers and Flames during the exhibition season. It will also be the first time since 2005 that the Lightning and Panthers will square off during the preseason.
The following is the schedule of games for the Lightning’s 2010 preseason:
Date Time Venue Opponent
Tuesday, September 21 8:30 p.m. American Airlines Center (Dallas, TX) Dallas Stars
Wednesday, September 22 8 p.m. MTS Centre (Winnipeg, MB) Chicago Blackhawks
Thursday, September 23 9 p.m. Rexall Place (Edmonton, AB) Edmonton Oilers
Saturday, September 25 9 p.m. Pengrowth Saddledome (Calbary, AB) Calgary Flames
Friday, October 1 7:30 p.m. BankAtlantic Center (Sunrise, FL) Florida Panthers
Saturday, October 2 7:30 p.m. St. Pete Times Forum (Tampa, FL) Florida Panthers
Hard to believe, but somebody actually turned down Steve Yzerman’s offer to join the Lightning organizatation. After speaking over the past couple of weeks, Ryan Martin has turned down the chance to become an assistant general manager with the Lightning and will instead remain with the Red Wings as the director of hockey operations, where essentially he is Detroit’s capoligist. You can read the story from a posting this afternoon at the Detroit Free Press
Not sure where Yzerman turns now to find his “capologist’’ but one name that has come up is Damian Echevarrieta, from the NHL’s hockey operations department, a name that was brought up by former Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Jay Feaster in the past few weeks.
The Lightning will make hockey a Chili’s event this summer.
The team announced a summer tour to take part at participating area Chili’s restaurants each Wednesday between now and September 1, beginning June 16 in Tampa at 2903 N. Dale Mabry.
The free event kicks off each week at 4 p.m. with street hockey set up in the parking lot area, which is open to all ages and skill levels. Beginning at 6 p.m., ThunderBug and the Lightning Girls will hold enter-to-win contests and giveaways while Lightning Hockey Night, the team’s weekly radio show broadcast on WHNZ, 1250, will be live on location from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.. The radio show will feature different guests and personalities each with, with team founder Phil Esposito and former captain Dave Andreychuk scheduled to appear this week.
The complete schedule is as follows:
Date Chili’s Location Time
Wednesday, June 16 2903 N. Dale Mabry Highway - Tampa 6-8 p.m.
Wednesday, June 23 7250 US 19 N - Pinellas Park 6-8 p.m.
Wednesday, June 30 3750 Lakeside Village Ct, - Lakeland 6-8 p.m.
Wednesday, July 7 25987 US 19 N - Clearwater 6-8 p.m.
Wednesday, August 11 17643 Bruce B Downs - Tampa 6-8 p.m.
Wednesday, August 18 6125 Exchange Way - Lakewood Ranch 6-8 p.m.
Wednesday, August 25 16420 State Road 54 - Odessa 6-8 p.m.
Wednesday, September 1 1949 W. Brandon Blvd. - Brandon 6-8 p.m.
Advertisement
