Stanley Cup Champions resign Legwand and draft five prospects!

Tampa Bay,FL,(AP)- Well July 26th,2012 was a busy day for the Bolts organization. The Club announced before the draft that Center, unrestricted free agent David.Legwand re-signed a 4 year extension to remain with the organization. David has been with the organizaton for the last 5 seasons and has captained the team the last two seasons and this season was presented the clubs first Stanley Cup Championship after defeating the Los.Angeles Kings in the finals. David lead the club in scoring for most of the season until a late season ending injury which kept him out of the line up for the remainder of the regualr season and the first two rounds of the Stanley Cup Finals. When he got injured he was disappointted , but as he rehabbed he remain with the club, every practice, road trip and game, he was present with the team. Stated Gm Zelichowski. David had a great season and we are excited too have him remain apart of this family we have here in Tampa.

The organization added some highly touted youngsters at the Entry Draft today. The Lightning held five draft picks this year, a 1st round selection, 30th overall, 2nd round selection 60th overall, 3rd round selection 72nd overall, and two 4th round selctions 117th overall and 120th overall.  Captain David Legwand went to the podium to make the 1st round selection for the Bolts as they selected 18 year old Defencemen, Quebec Born, 6-1, 180lbs, Michael.Matheson who played for the Dubque Fighting Saints of the USHL.  The youngster has struggled with consistency issues, but has all the tools to be a solid Two-way defencemen at the pro level with hard work. His junior rights are owned by the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL, however it's presummed he'll be off to Boston College next season to continue to refine his skills for the next couple of seasons.

The second round saw the club draft 60th overall High School stand out Left Winger/Right Winger from Exeter Academy 6-2, 216lbs Brian.Hart. This youngster brings a ton of athleticism to the table, he has size, a heavy shot, and he skates well. This youngster has all the tools to be a solid Power forward at the pro-level. Brian is commited to playing in the NCAA next season for Havard where he'll continue to hone his skills.

Just twelve picks later in the third round the club selected 72nd overall Right Winger from St.John Prep School 6-1, 207lbs Samuel.Kurker. This youngster is another prospect that has good size and has potential to be a power forward at the pro level. He won't create offence with but more with size, hustle, and driving the net. Samuel will continue to work on his game as he is committed to playing for Boston University.

The fourth round saw the Lightning with two selections, 117th overall and 120th overall and the club went and selected 117th overall Goaltender, from Sault Ste.Marie Greyhounds of the OHL, 6-4, 162lbs Matthew.Murray. Matt's a BIg netminder who will now be the starter for the Greyhounds this season. he covers alot of the net, he's very quick from side to side and posses a solid glove hand. We look forward to watching his progression. Just three selections later the Lightning selcted yet another Goaltending propsect as they selected 120th overall , from Frolunda of the Sweedish Elite League, 6-4, 247lbs Dane, Frederick.Anderson. The Dane has tremendous size and covers most of the net with his frame. Though he is very raw as he hasn't played at a high level of competition, he certainly has the size and skill to be to be an effective goalie at the pro level.

We here in Tampa are looking forward to the upcoming season and the future of our organization.

Reporting from Tampa Bay