Lightning Weekly Strike: Stammer’s 250th, Drouin and the WJC, and more
On Tuesday, December 9th against the Washington Capitals, Steven Stamkos snapped his 250th goal behind goaltender Braden Holtby. The goal that put Stamkos as 10th youngest player to the 250 mark came from an assist by Ryan Callahan. It just so happens that Lightning general manager, Steve Yzerman, is sixth on the list.
YOUNGEST PLAYERS TO 250 GOALS
1. Wayne Gretzky – 22 years, 28 days
2. Mario Lemieux – 23 years, 77 days
3. Dale Hawerchuk – 23 years, 289 days
4. Alex Ovechkin – 24 years, 126 days
5. Pierre Turgeon – 24 years, 199 days
6. Steve Yzerman – 24 years, 222 days
7. Jimmy Carson – 24 years, 241 days
8. Mike Bossy – 24 years, 275 days
9. Michel Goulet – 24 years, 302 days
10. Steven Stamkos – 24 years, 305 days
11. Jaromir Jagr – 24 years, 312 days
(via tampabay.com)
Before the Lightning’s Thursday game against the Carolina Hurricanes, Lightning vice president and general manager, Steve Yzerman, announced that the team would not be releasing forward Jonathan Drouin to play for Team Canada at the World Junior Championships. Yzerman said that the team felt it best if Drouin remained with the Lightning to continue his progression as a professional instead of going to the tournament that starts on December 26th in Montreal and Toronto.
“If you went and watched him play last year, you would notice a significant…improvement: played center, became a real good face off man, an penalty killer, strong in the D zone,” Yzerman said, referring to Drouin’s season last year with the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. “The NHL is a different league, and it’s just going to take a little time adjusting. We’re asking him to do more than just score, (to) be good in all aspects of the game and he’s committed to it and we want him to get as much opportunity here.”
Drouin has one goal and 10 assists in 20 games entering the Carolina game. He scored his first professional goal in his third NHL game at Winnipeg.
Also before Thursday’s game, the Lightning announced forward Ondrej Palat is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Yzerman said Palat being out also played a part in the decision to keep Drouin in Tampa Bay.
As far as Palat, Yzerman didn’t have a timetable for his return and said the Lightning currently have no plans to recall a player from their AHL affiliate in Syracuse. But, Vladislav Namestnikov is just “a phone call away” he added.
(via lightning.nhl.com)
In fan news, the Lightning are selling t-shirts designed after the fake third jersey prank. T-shirts are now available to purchase at Tampa Bay Sports powered by Reebok at Amalie Arena. The men’s version of the shirt is going for $35, with the women’s v-neck selling for $40. Fans who cannot make it out to the arena to purchase should be able to purchase theirs at tampabaysports.com in the next week or so.
The Lightning have also announced that they have launched a new free mobile app for smartphones. The new app, Tampa Bay Lightning Hockey Club, is now available for fans to download on their mobile device. Now this is not just an update to the old app, this is a completely new redesign and fans who download and sign up for the app in the first 10 days will be entered to win a Tyler Johnson autographed jersey! Fans also have the chance to win Lightning tickets and signed Lightning items.
The app comes from the Lightning partnering with Sporting Innovations. The release is the first step of several to come over the next 12-18 months. This new app will allow Lightning fans the opportunity to more conveniently to follow team news, game stats, special offers, and updates.
Special offers will include access to seat upgrades, Zamboni rides, venue information around Amalie Arena, and much more. Plus, the new app will feature proximity based special offers and game notifications.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FOR IOS
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID
