The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. The Lightning compete in the National Hockey League as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference.
Phil Esposito fronted an ownership group that was later awarded an NHL franchise in 1992.
The Lightning moved to their present home, the Ice Palace (now Benchmark International Arena), during the 1996 off-season.
During the 2006–07 season, Vincent Lecavalier broke the then franchise record for most points, and goals in a single season.
Vaclav Prospal with the Lightning in 2007.
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in the Miami metropolitan area. The Panthers compete in the National Hockey League as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Con
Tampa Bay Lightning
…home games at Benchmark International Arena in Downtown Tampa. The Lightning are one of two NHL franchises based in Florida, with the other being the Florida Panthers. The franchise is owned by Vinik Sports Group, with an investor group led by Doug Ostrover and Marc Lipschultz holding a majority stake. Jeffrey Vinik…
The Panthers drafted Jay Bouwmeester third overall in the 2002 NHL entry draft.
The Panthers acquired Brian Campbell during the 2011 off-season. Campbell played with the Panthers from 2011 to 2016.
Aleksander Barkov, drafted second overall by the Panthers in 2013, would emerge as the franchise's captain and star during the late-2010s.
Forward Matthew Tkachuk, pictured with the Calgary Flames.