Lightning History
Lightning Honoring Tampa's Hockey Hero Lecavalier
February 6th, 2018 On Feb. 10, the Tampa Bay Lightning are scheduled to retire former captain and longtime face of the franchise Vincent Lecavalier's No. 4 jersey. Lecavalier will join his friend and former teammate Martin St. Louis as the second player to have his number retired by the...
Lightning to Honor Martin St. Louis
January 13th, 2017 On Friday night, prior to their game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Tampa Bay Lightning will retire and raise the first number in franchise history. Despite his unceremonious departure from Tampa in 2014, the organization is making the correct decision by making...
Top 5 Trades in Lightning History
November 29th, 2016 The Tampa Bay Lightning franchise has been around for a quarter century. In that time, the various team general managers have pulled off some trades that have changed the course of not only a season but the organization in some cases. Perhaps it shouldn’t come as any...
Unforgettable Journey for Vinny Lecavalier
June 26th, 2016 It became official this week. Former Tampa Bay Lightning captain, Vinny Lecavalier announced his retirement from the NHL. He played in 1,212 games and scored 421 goals and had 949 total points and in addition to the Lightning, suited up for the Philadelphia Flyers before...
NHL Draft Rewind: Lightning's Top Five Picks of All-Time
June 16th, 2016 During the Tampa Bay Lightning's 24-year history in the National Hockey League, the franchise has made some memorable (and not so memorable) selections in the NHL Entry Draft. Of the 217 players chosen by the franchise over the course of 24 entry drafts -- not counting...
Looking Back: Bolts With No Cup Lore Since 2004
May 4th, 2016 Moving forward in the Stanley Cup playoffs, The Hockey Writers will be taking a short look at the past successes of the final eight teams left in the postseason. When was the last time they reached the Stanley Cup Finals? How long has it been since they hoisted the...
The Tampa Bay Lightning Franchise Four
December 3rd, 2015 The Franchise Four. The Mount Rushmore. Four players who tell the story of an organization. In this series, I’ll be taking a look at the history of all 30 NHL squads. For criteria, I’m choosing one forward, defenceman, goaltender and a wild card from any...
Best and Worst of First Three Drafts of Steve Yzerman
November 30th, 2015 Because the transition for most NHL draft picks can be measured easier by a calendar than a stop watch, the last three drafts are immune from this review. That said; let’s take a closer look at the drafts by the Tampa Bay Lightning in General Manager, Steve Yzerman’s...Mount Rushmore of the Tampa Bay Lightning
October 30th, 2015 Unlike the Original Six of the NHL, most current franchises don’t have the longevity to have meaningful generational arguments about who were the all-time best players for the team. In the case of the Tampa Bay Lightning, a franchise that has only been around since 1992...
Blast From the Past for the Tampa Bay Lightning
October 28th, 2015 Last week the Columbus Blue Jackets announced that John Tortorella was hired to replace coach Todd Richards after the team began the new season losing their first seven games. The news was felt all the way to the Tampa Bay area. Thoughts of 2004 permeated the local sports...
All-Time Tampa Bay Lightning Team
July 31st, 2015 The Tampa Bay Lightning came into existence in 1992. After 23 years and 22 actual NHL seasons along with two Stanley Cup Final appearances and one Stanley Cup victory, the Lightning have had their share of noteworthy players. Among those who played in Tampa were guys...
Manon Rheaume: First Lady of Hockey
July 31st, 2015 Many of you know that the initial season of the National Women's Hockey League is this upcoming season. In the fall, there will be four teams battling it out in the new women's professional hockey league. This brought to mind an event that goes back over 20 years. Let me...Drafting Report Card of Steve Yzerman
July 29th, 2015 Last month in Las Vegas, Tampa Bay Lightning general manager, Steve Yzerman was awarded the 2015 NHL GM of the Year. This announcement was thought to be well deserved, especially in the Tampa Bay area. Looking back at the incredibly productive year by Yzerman, he...
