News

Damian Crisdotero reports the Tampa Bay Lightning have announced that the Augusta Lynx will serve as the team's ECHL affiliate next season, entering into a one year contractual agreement today. The Lightning organization will provide the Lynx with players under NHL and AHL contracts. Tampa Bay will also play a role in selecting the coaching staff. The Lightning's previous ECHL affiliation contract with the Mississippi Sea Wolves expired earlier this season, and the Sea Wolves had already resigned head coach Steffon Walby to an extension.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome the Augusta Lynx to the Lightning organization,” Lightning VP of Hockey Operations Brian Lawton said. “The Lynx and their management team are committed to success and it shows by them making the playoffs in six of their 10 seasons in operation. We feel that due to the organization’s desire to win, and because of its proximity to Tampa and our AHL affiliate in Norfolk, there really is not a better option for us in the ECHL. We look forward to our prospects playing an important role in bringing the Kelly Cup to Augusta.”

“We are thrilled to be a part of the Lightning organization, and we look forward to working together in order to win championships,” Augusta GM Dan Troutman said. “With the aggressive moves their new ownership have pursued since purchasing the team, we feel Tampa Bay’s commitment and passion to winning is a great asset to our club. Our goal as a club is to bring the Kelly Cup to Augusta, and an affiliation with an organization with as much success as the Lightning have had brings us closer to that goal. We look forward to helping young players refine their skills on their road to the NHL.”

The Lynx play in the James Brown Arena. How cool is that?

The Lightning's prospect camp - its first in years - is set to begin this Sunday, July 27 and run through August 3.

The Victoria News reports 2008 first overall pick Steven Stamkos will indeed be in attendance at the camp, along with several others, including recently acquired defenseman Ty Wishart and former first rounder Riku Helenius.

TampaBayLightning.com released the names of Lightning picks/property on the camp roster (there are 11 others set to attend):

The Helena Independent Record is reporting Mike Butters, part-owner of the Helena Bighorns Junior A Tier III hockey team, will be introduced as the AHL Norfolk Admirals' new general manager.

The Bighorns are also owned by Oren Koules, who runs OK Hockey - owners of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The newspaper describes Butters as "energetic and often boisterous," which would seem to fall in line with the rest of the new Lightning organizational ownership, which includes real estate magnate and former NHLer Len Barrie.

Butters, a 42 year-old Manitoba native, is also a former hockey player, last playing in the AHL in 1992.

TSN.ca is reporting Lightning enforcer and fan favorite Andre Roy has signed a one year deal with Calgary. Roy had four goals and three assists for seven points, along with 108 penalty minutes, this past year for Tampa Bay.

While known for his locker-room antics and passion for his team, Roy's emotions got the better of him at times, resulting in on-the-bench arguments with then-coach John Tortorella. Roy was suspended by the club for a handful of games to end the year.

With Tortorella now out of the picture, it was thought Roy may have a place with the "new" Lightning, but despite new coach Barry Melrose's wishes for a physical team - and a sect of Lightning fans demanding Roy's return - the coach and new owners indicated at a recent town hall meeting with fans that the club would make use of its size at forward and team toughness rather than use a designated enforcer.

The Lightning did sign 6'6" enforcer David Koci to a one year contract earlier this off-season, but that signing was done with Norfolk in mind.

Damian Cristodero of the St. Pete Times reports in his blog that former Lightning Darren Rumble will be named AHL Norfolk's next head coach on Tuesday.

Rumble was an assistant under Steve Stirling last year for Norfolk, but did not have his contract renewed at the end of the season. Stirling was reassigned to an NCAA scouting position by the Lightning following the season but later left the organization to coach in Germany.

Rumble played 24 games for the Bolts from 2002-2004, registering 8 penalty minutes in limited duty as a defenseman. He was a member of Tampa Bay's 2004 Cup team.

For more from Rumble on the opportunity, see Cristodero's Blog.

(Pictured: Rumble in Barrie, Ontario on his day with the Cup. A fun note: Rumble's daughter, Alexa, ate Fruit Loops out of the trophy.