Zahn, Teigan

Connolly scores in his first game back ... Schemitsch nets his first ... Nearly a full lineup of Lightning prospect games as the OHL and WHL get underway.

2010 third round pick Brock Beukeboom and seventh round pick Teigan Zahn will not attend Tampa Bay's training camp this week. Both were originally on the training camp roster released to the media, but a decision was made over the course of the Traverse City prospects tournament to send Beukeboom back to Sault Ste. Marie and Zahn back to Saskatoon.

Beukeboom will join the OHL Greyhounds where he will look to build upon last year's career highs of 7 goals, 19 assists, and 26 points. The 6'2" defenseman recently was a part of Team Canada's summer development camp in preparation for this winter's World Junior Championships.

Zahn was originally drafted in the fifth round by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. It was thought he was drafted by the Bolts in 2010 to provide immediate defensive depth in the organization, either in AHL Norfolk or with the ECHL Everblades. However, barring unforeseen circumstances, he will not be signed this year and will instead play as an overager for the WHL Blades.

The Lightning's 2010 1st round pick Brett Connolly tallied a first period and a third period goal in a 4-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues in the opening game of the 2010 Traverse City prospects tournament Saturday night. Connolly's first period tally was assisted by 2009 1st round pick Carter Ashton, as he and Connolly combined for 10 of Tampa's 26 shots on goal. James Wright and Mark Barberio assisted on Connolly's 3rd period marker with Wright sporting a team high +2 along with 3 shots of his own. 2010 3rd rounder Brock Beukeboom was the only other Lightning plus player in the game.

Dustin Tokarski stopped 31 of 34 shots in the loss. Radko Gudas had a huge hit in the 3rd period, while Teigan Zahn dropped the gloves for a 1st period bout against Cody Beach. Of the free agent invitees, forward Andrew Agozzino rang up 3 shots on goal.

Boxscore provided by Pointstreak

The Lightning have assembled a preliminary roster for the upcoming prospects camp July 10-14 at the St. Pete Times Forum. The following roster, courtesy of Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune, includes at least three goaltenders, 12 defensemen and 17 forwards. All 2010 draft choices will be participating.

Name: Teigan Zahn
Position: Defenseman
Shoots: Left
Height: 6.01
Weight: 218 lbs
Born: 1/4/1990, Regina, SK
Last Team: Saskatoon (WHL)
Rankings: CSS NR (North American Skaters), RLR NR (Overall), THN NR (Overall)

2009-2010 Statistics:
Saskatoon (WHL), 44 GP, 0-3-3, -3, 83 PIM
Saskatoon (WHL Playoffs), 10 GP, 0-2-2, +1, 8 PIM

Scouting Comments:
The Lightning get a tough guy and some immediate help on the blueline for Norfolk in the form of ex-2008 fifth round Blackhawks pick, Teigan Zahn.

Strengths:
A former first round pick in the WHL Bantam Draft, Zahn has good athleticism and has shown a willingness to contribute physically, including dropping the gloves. Also was an assistant captain for Saskatoon and has some decent leadership ability. Makes a suprisingly decent first pass out of the zone.

Weaknesses:
Skating was a knock on Zahn in his draft season and he brings very limited offense to the table. Injuries have also hampered Zahn along the way in his junior career, including a broken leg this season.

Projection:
The Lightning will, presumably, sign Zahn to bolster their blueline depth in Norfolk. The question is whether Zahn can grow beyond being a scrapper for the team. You don't get to be a first round pick in the WHL Bantam Draft if you don't have ability, but it's never translated into anything so far.