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When Lightning prospects last took the ice, Tampa co-owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie squared off behind the benches in an intra squad scrimmage to close last month's Prospect Camp in Victoria, BC. But when Tampa prospects take to the ice September 13th in Traverse City, MI for the 8 team tournament, the owners will leave the coaching to the professionals. The Lightning announced that Norfolk Admirals head coach Darren Rumble will lead the year's Traverse squad along with Norfolk assistant coach Alan May.

It was also confirmed that the remaining player on Tampa's roster will be free agent invitee Luciano Aquino. The 5.10, 200 lbs right winger put up a gaudy 41-50-91 in 74 games last year for the IHL's Fort Wayne Komets enroute to winning the IHL Rookie-of-the-Year honors. Aquino is a 2005 7th round pick of the New York Islanders and is no stranger to offensive proclivities. He was a point-per-gamer for the ECHL's Utah Grizzlies in the 2006-07 season, and put up a tawdry 2.25 point-per-game average in his shortened final junior campaign for Brampton. Aquino's Fort Wayne teammate Matieu Curadeau recently signed a two-way AHL/IHL contract with Norfolk, and Aquino, who lists Tampa's Martin St. Louis as his favorite NHL player, will be given a long look by the organization whose system lacks an explosive right wing sniper.

James Wright's wake-up call came from NHL teams hitting the snooze button on him at their entry draft.

Wright, a Vancouver Giants centre, may be a pro-level skater already and that led to speculation that he could have been a second-rounder this past summer. That speculation, too, led to him attending the festivities in Ottawa with his family.

Wright, 18, has also had an up-and-down first two years with the Giants, thanks to an inconsistent battle level. NHL teams looked at that most of all, as he wasn't picked until the end of the fourth round by the Tampa Bay Lightning.

For Mitch Fadden, September will be the month that decides where he spends the next year. As the Lethbridge training camp begins, Tampa's 2007 4th round pick is still without a pro contract from the Lightning. After attending the Bolt's Prospect Camp in Victoria, BC last month, the Lightning still want to see more of Fadden before making a decision on where he spends the 2008-09 season.

In talking with the Lethbridge Herald, the WHL's sixth leading scorer was upbeat about the start of the Hurricane's camp, “It’s business as usual, everyone is excited to get back on the ice and we’re ready to start the season.”

(Victoria Times-Colonist)

For the rest of the story, which includes potential titles for Barrie and rumored partner Oren Koules, as well as examples of Barrie's business style, Click Here (Victoria Times-Colonist).

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The Tampa Bay Lightning have won the draft lottery for the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and secured the #1 pick in the draft.

Dave Andreychuk, who sat in as the Lightning's representative for the draft drawing, has the magic mojo.

Steven Stamkos is a Bolt.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-xcuktoTiw

Can you say, "skill?"

Welcome to Tampa Bay, young man.