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Bolts By The Number: Four

May 25, 2017, 1:02 PM ET [3 Comments]
John Gove
Calgary Flames Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT


For the first time in "Bolts By The Number" we have reached a number that is quite iconic in the history of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The number four has only been worn by two players and will probably never be worn by another Bolts' player again.

Here are the two gentlemen to wear the number four on their backs for the Tampa Bay Lightning...

Cory Cross

Cross was drafted first overall by the Lightning is the 1992 Supplemental Draft. He was called up from the IHL for the last five games of the 1993-94 season. He made the Lightning for the 1994-95 season but went back to playing for the Atlanta Knights during the lockout.

Cross spent five full seasons with Tampa Bay and then was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs, along with a seventh-round draft pick, for Fredrik Modin. Cross would spend parts of his 12-year career playing for the Lightning, Leafs, Oilers, Red Wings, Rangers, and Penguins.

Vincent Lecavalier

Lecavalier is the "number four" when you talk about the Tampa Bay Lightning. It would not be a surprise if his number joins the number 26 above the ice of AMALIE Arena next season.

Although the franchise is still relatively young, Lecavalier is one of the best, if not the best, players to rock and Lightning sweater. He was taken first overall by the Bolts in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft and was prophesized as the "Michael Jordan of hockey" by Art Williams.

On March 1st, 2000, he became the youngest captain in NHL history, surpassing Steve Yzerman. However, his reign as captain was short-lived as it was stripped due to his youth and lack of maturity.

Not only did Lecavalier help the Lightning bring home their only Stanley Cup, he was also an all-star and winner of both the Maurice Richard Trophy and the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. In his 14 seasons with the Lightning, Lecavalier played in 1,037 games, scored 383 goals, and added 491 assists.

No one can deny the important role this number four played in Lightning history and the world should expect him to be immortalized through the retirement of his number in the near future.
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