North American Juniors

Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune reported today that the Lightning will not offer entry level contracts to 2010 draftees Adam Janosik and Geoffrey Schemitsch, thereby relinquishing the team's rights to both defensemen. Both players will re-enter the NHL draft this year, though it is unlikely either will be taken.

Janosik, a third round pick (72nd overall) of the Bolts in 2010, just completed his third season with Gatineau of the QMJHL. The 5'11" defenseman tied his career high in assists with 26 while accumulating 32 points in 51 games. He was an alternate captain for the Olympiques and wore the captain's "C" on occasion. He also represented his native Slovakia at the World Junior Championships, wearing an "A" for the team and totally one assist in six games. He had five assists in six games in the 2010-2011 WJCs with the Slovaks.

Janosik's career high for points was set in his draft year - his first season in North America - when he had 35 points (9 goals) in 63 games. He would never top either of those totals. He recently signed with Bili Tygri Liberec of the Czech league, where he is expected to tryout for the professional club this summer. He "grew up" in the Bili Tygri Liberec system, playing for their U18 and U20 clubs before moving to the Canadian Hockey League.

OHL

(E1) Niagara IceDogs 1 @ (W1) London Knights 2
OHL Finals – London wins best of 7 series 4-1

C Vladislav Namestnikov , LDN: 0-1-1, +1, 0 PIM
Playoff Totals: 19 GP, 4-14-18, +10, 18 PIM
Season Totals: 63 GP, 22-49-71, +15, 50 PIM

The London Knights won the 2011-2012 J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL champions Friday night with a 2-1 win over Niagara in Game 4 of the Ontario Hockey League finals. Namestnikov stretched his point streak to six games when he flipped the puck to former Lightning camper Seth Griffith while on a 2 on 1. Griffith one-timed the puck into the net for what turned out to be the game-winning goal. Namestnikov finished the playoffs at just under a point-per-game. Predators prospect Austin Watson, who scored the game's first goal, won the Wayne Gretzky 99 Trophy as playoff MVP. Namestnikov will face off against fellow Lightning prospect Danick Gauthier and the QMJHL champion Saint John Sea Dogs on May 19th in the first game of the Memorial Cup for both teams. Shawinigan is in the tournament as hosts, and Edmonton leads Portland 3-2 in the WHL Finals to determine the final participant. Congratulations to Vladdy and Danick on their championships.

QMJHL

(1) Saint John Sea Dogs 8 @ (7) Rimouski Oceanic 0
QMJHL Finals – Saint John wins best of 7 series 4-0

C Danick Gauthier, SNB: 1-1-2, +2, 6 SOG, 2 PIM (roughing after the whistle), 1 Hit
Playoff Totals: 17 GP, 13-8-21, +12, 28 PIM
Season Totals: 67 GP, 47-39-86, +46, 67 PIM

Saint John won their second straight President Cup as QMJHL champs by crushing the Oceanic 8-0 on Thursday in Rimouski. The Sea Dogs were up 5-0 at the end of the first period and coasted to a Memorial Cup berth. They finished the playoffs with a 12-1 record, their only loss coming in overtime in the semifinals. Lightning prospect Danick Gauthier (pictured), an alternate captain for Saint John, had a goal and an assist in Game 4 to finish the playoffs with 13 goals in 17 games. Saint John will defend their Memorial Cup title starting May 18 in Shawinigan, Quebec.

This season Bolt Prospects introduced our Prospect of the Week award, an honor (virtually) given to one Tampa Bay Lightning prospect for their on-ice contributions.

We wanted to highlight prospects throughout the year to help fans get better acquainted with the next round of Lightning stars while recognizing the prospect’s achievement on the ice.

This week’s BP Prospect of the Week award goes to … Danick Gauthier, C, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL).

A “bonus pick” for the Lightning, Gauthier was signed to a free agent contract by the Bolts in March while Gauthier was on his way to a career year in the QMJHL for Saint John (47-39-86). Gauthier hasn’t slowed down in the playoffs, scoring 12 times in 16 playoff games while adding seven assists.

QMJHL

(1) Saint John Sea Dogs 6 @ (7) Rimouski Oceanic 4
QMJHL Finals – Saint John leads best of 7 series 3-0

C Danick Gauthier, SNB: 2-0-2, E, 3 SOG, 2 PIM (slashing), 2 Hits, *First Star*
Playoff Totals: 16 GP, 12-7-19, +10, 26 PIM
Season Totals: 67 GP, 47-39-86, +46, 67 PIM

Danick Gauthier earned first star honors for scoring twice and Saint John moved within one win of the QMJHL championship Wednesday night with a 6-4 win in Rimouski. Gauthier’s goals gave the Sea Dogs leads of 3-1 and 5-2. Game 4 is Thursday night in Rimouski. If Saint John wins, they will claim their second-straight league championship and second-straight invitation to the Memorial Cup tournament. They won the Cup last season. This year the tournament is in Shawinigan, Quebec.

OHL

(W1) London Knights 4 @ (E1) Niagara IceDogs 1
OHL Finals – London leads best of 7 series 3-1

C Vladislav Namestnikov , LDN: 1-0-1, -1, 2 PIM (closing hand on puck)
Playoff Totals: 18 GP, 4-13-17, +9, 18 PIM
Season Totals: 63 GP, 22-49-71, +15, 50 PIM

Namestnikov stretched his point streak to five games with what turned out to be the game-winning goal as London topped Niagara in St. Catherines 4-1 on Wednesday night. Undrafted yet draft eligible goaltender Michael Houser was first star for the Knights, stopping 36 of 37 shots. London was outshot 37-21 in the game. The Knights can win the OHL championship on Friday night at home. If they are successful, they will earn an invitation to the Memorial Cup.