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Lightning Re-Sign Brett Connolly to One-Year, Two-Way Deal

July 10, 2014, 5:07 PM ET [38 Comments]
Michael Stuart
Ottawa Senators Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Tampa Bay Lightning announced today that they have re-signed forward Brett Connolly to a one-year, two-way contract.

From the team’s press release:

The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed forward Brett Connolly to a one-year, two-way contract, vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman announced today.

Connolly, 22, skated in 11 games with the Lightning last season, posting a goal and four penalty minutes. His lone goal during the 2013-14 season came on November 2 against the St. Louis Blues. Connolly also skated in 66 games with the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League, recording 21 goals and 57 points to go along with 50 penalty minutes. The 6-foot-2, 193-pound forward ranked first on the Crunch for both points and assists (36).

The Campbell River, B.C. native has skated in 84 career NHL games, all with the Lightning over three seasons, notching six goals and 17 points go along with 34 penalty minutes. Three of his six career goals have been game-winners. Connolly has also skated in 137 career AHL games, collecting 52 goals and 120 points.

Connolly was originally drafted by the Lightning in the first round, sixth overall, at the 2010 NHL Draft.


Regarded as a big of a wildcard in that 2010 draft, Connolly missed most of his 2009-10 season with injury. Something that has stuck with me over all these years is Pierre McGuire’s comment immediately following the selection: Connolly would either be a home run pick or a ground out. While some will argue that the pick has proven itself to be the latter, this blogger would argue that we don’t really know yet.

Regular HockeyBuzz readers are familiar with the fact that I’m a big fan of Brett Connolly; I’ve been a big fan of this player since his junior days. When General Manager Steve Yzerman went up on stage in Los Angeles and called Connolly’s name, I was thrilled. Fast-forward four years, and it’s time for the Lightning organization to figure out what it has in this young winger.

It sounds like Yzerman agrees.

While this contract is a two-way deal, meaning that Connolly would receive a smaller salary at the AHL level, Yzerman has consistently stated that there will be an opportunity for Connolly to make and be a big part of the Lightning roster.

If Brett performs at this year’s camp like he did at last year’s camp, I like his chances to make an impact in the NHL this season.

As always, thanks for reading.

Michael Stuart has been the Tampa Bay Lightning writer for HockeyBuzz since 2012. Visit his archive to read more or follow him on Twitter.
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