Tampa Bay Lightning to open rookie camp on Sept. 7, roster includes 10 first-or-second round picks

by Erik Erlendsson | @Erik_Erlendsson | Like us on Facebook
August 29, 2017

Winter is coming. The boys are getting back together.

But first, the kids. Also known as the prospects.

Before the Tampa Bay Lightning open training camp, the rookies report on Sept. 7 – a week ahead of main camp – to prepare for a four-team tournament at Germain Arena in Estero that begins Sept. 9.

The now annual prospect tournament has become a precursor of things to come, particularly for the Lightning which once again figures to put a strong group on the ice. Not only does it set up the start of hockey season with the coming of main training camp, it allows an early look at some of the organization’s top players.

With an influx top level prospects turning pro this season and a handful of high-ranked junior prospects attending camp, the six days of rookie camp offer a glimpse in to the future of the franchise.

Among the 24 players on the roster for Tampa Bay are three first-round picks – which includes defenseman Mikhail Sergachev, the ninth overall pick by Montreal in 2016, acquired via trade from the Canadiens in May – and eight second-round picks, including former Los Angeles second-round pick Erik Cernak.

Of the 24 players, 21 are Lightning prospects while three are free agent invitees, including Shane Conacher, the younger brother of Tampa Bay forward Cory Conacher.

The Lightning will open play on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 4 p.m. against Nashville followed by a Sunday afternoon game on Sept. 10 against Washington at 1. Tampa Bay concludes the tournament on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 2 p.m. against Florida. All games will be streamed live, with further details to follow.

Here is the roster breakdown:

Forwards (14): Anthony Cirelli, Shane Conacher*, Kevin Hancock*, Brett Howden, Mathieu Joseph, Boris Katchouk, Alexey Lipanov, Christopher Paquette, Taylor Raddysh, Otto Somppi, Mitchell Stephens, Jonne Tammela, Alexander Volkov, Dennis Yan

Defensemen (8): Erik Cernak, Cal Foote, Libor Hajek, Dominik Masin, Mikhail Sergachev, Oleg Sosunov, Matt Spencer, Ben Thomas

Goaltenders (2): Connor Ingram, Joseph Raaymakers*

*denotes camp invitee