Lightning Unveils Roster for Exciting 2025 NHL Prospect Tournament!
The Tampa Bay Lightning unveil their 2025 Prospect Tournament roster and schedule, featuring top young talent from September 12-15 in Florida.
Lightning Unveils Roster for Exciting 2025 NHL Prospect Tournament!
The Tampa Bay Lightning are gearing up for a vibrant hockey season, announcing their roster and schedule for the much-anticipated 2025 NHL Prospect Tournament. Kicking off from September 12-15 at the AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel, Florida, this event promises to showcase some of the brightest young talents in professional hockey. The tournament will feature teams from the Lightning, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, and Nashville Predators, each vying to impress not only the fans but also the scouts watching closely.
In a thrilling format, each participating team will play against every other team once. This gives players a golden opportunity to display their skills in front of team management and fans alike. All games consist of three 20-minute periods, and in the event of a tie, teams will engage in a five-minute, three-on-three overtime phase, followed by a dramatic five-player shootout.
Roster Highlights
The Lightning’s roster for the tournament shines with top prospects, including forward Sam O’Reilly and 2025 second-round draft pick Ethan Czata, who had an outstanding last season with 21 goals and 55 points. Dylan Duke, a promising young player who made his NHL debut last season by scoring his first goal against Detroit, will also bring his skills to this tournament. The team further bolsters its chances with five additional players selected from the 2025 NHL Draft:
- F Aiden Foster (4th Rd. – No. 127 overall)
- D Everett Baldwin (5th Rd. – No. 151 overall)
- G Caleb Heil (7th Rd. – No. 193 overall)
- D Grant Spada (7th Rd. – No. 212 overall)
- F Marco Mignosa (7th Rd. – No. 215 overall)
For fans eager to catch the action, all games will be broadcast live on The Spot – Tampa Bay 66 (WXPX-TV) and will also be available for streaming on the Lightning’s official website. There’s a buzz surrounding this tournament, and local supporters are looking forward to cheering on these young prospects!
Rookie Showcase Insights
With 23 young talents on board, the Lightning’s roster mirrors the composition of their tournament team, featuring players all set to showcase their skills. They’ll delve into practice sessions from September 11th and 12th to prepare for their first game on September 13th against the Hurricanes at 6:00 PM. The second match will see them face the home team the following day, with the Panthers as their final competitor on September 16th. Like the Prospect Tournament, games will consist of three 20-minute periods followed by a five-player shootout if necessary.
Fans will appreciate that these games are open and free to the public, allowing them to witness the next generation of hockey talent up close. The Lightning’s roster includes an impressive mix of talent, featuring:
- 13 drafted players
- 2 players acquired via trade
- 7 free-agent signings
- 1 invitee (Jace Weir, a 20-year-old defenseman from the WHL)
Continuing the Legacy
As we look to the future, it’s exciting to note that several Lightning prospects are not just sitting on the sidelines waiting for their shot. Some have already made significant impacts in college hockey, as highlighted by the upcoming NCAA Hockey Tournament. With five prospects competing for their respective colleges, including Isaac Howard from Michigan State, who shines as a Hobey Baker Award finalist, the talent pool is deep.
Others, like Jack Harvey from Boston University and Connor Kurth from Minnesota, have also left their mark in their collegiate careers, adding to the growing reputation of Lightning prospects. These young athletes are poised to represent their schools and, hopefully, the Lightning in the near future.
With both the Prospect Tournament and Rookie Showcase on the horizon, fans have plenty to look forward to. The Lightning is not just assembling a team; they’re building the future of Florida hockey!