Ward, Michael

In just a few short hours, the two year run of goaltender Torrie Jung and defenseman Michael Ward as Tampa Bay Lightning prospects could end. As 2007 draftees out of Canadian juniors, both players are facing a June 1 deadline to be signed to entry level contracts by the Lightning or be returned to the 2009 NHL entry draft later this month in Montreal. The Lighting have already signed fellow 2007 draftees Dana Tyrell and Mitch Fadden, along with 2008 draftee Dustin Tokarski to three-year rookie contracts. Jung, who had a spectacular comeback season for the Edmonton Oil Kings, has seemingly played well enough to earn a contract, but faces considerable depth in the Lightning system behind Mike Smith, Karri Ramo, Riku Helenius, and the highly touted Tokarski. Ward, while showing a more pedestrian development and is considered somewhat of a longshot to earn a contract, would seemingly benefit from a general lack of blueline depth in the Lightning system.

Defenseman John Wessbecker, a 2007 NCAA draftee out of the University of Massachusettes-Amherst, faces an August 15 deadline as a graduating senior to sign an entry level contract or be released as an unrestricted free agent.

N.A. Juniors Playoff Game Night: 4/14

Two prospects going home ... one moving on.

N.A. Juniors Playoff Game Night: 4/13

QMJHL Playoffs – Conference Semi-Finals

Cape Breton Screaming Eagles 0 @ Quebec Remparts 3
Best of 7 series tied 3-3
D Michael Ward, CB: 0-0-0, -1, 2 PIM, 3 SOG
Playoff totals: 10 GP, 1-5-6, +6, 14 PIM
Season totals: 65 GP, 7-27-34, +9, 105 PIM

Quebec forces Game 7 with a shutout win in Game 6. The Remparts got a goal in the second period, then a power play marker with under 2 minutes left in the third. They would add an empty netter shortly after. Kelsey Tessier (Avalanche) had the game winner and the empty net goal. Charles Lavigne (undrafted) stopped 34 shots in net for Quebec, who were outshot by Cape Breton 34-22. He had 6 shutouts in the regular season, but this was his first in the playoffs. Lavigne starts in front of Jonathan Roy, son of Quebec coach and GM Patrick Roy. Game 7 is Tuesday in Quebec City.

N.A. Juniors Playoff Game Night: 4/13

Wright's big game sends series to seventh game ... Fadden finished ... Witkowski scores first playoff goal as Force advances.

N.A. Juniors Playoff Game Night: 4/10

Witkowski and Fargo strike first ... Cunti and L'Oceanic moving on to face Volts ... Tokarski comes out a winner in second longest WHL game ever ... Barberio going home ... Fadden watches as Ams fall at home.