Lightning send Connolly, Panik, and Ashton back to juniors

by John Fontana on Sep 24, 2010 2:52 PM EDT in Lightning Team News

If there's any surprise in the news forwards Brett Connolly, Carter Ashton, and Richard Panik were sent back to juniors, the surprise lies in when they were sent back. Not if they would be sent back at all. I figured the demotions would happen after the team played on Saturday in Calgary.

Despite fans being excited about the Lightning's 2010 1st round pick (Connolly), the fact he had only played 16 games in juniors last season dictated where he was going to play this year. His development depends on him getting consistent ice time and minutes... That wouldn't have happened in Tampa Bay.

The same goes for Ashton and Panik -- playing time and developing take precedence over chipping in on the big club. I don't think fans want to see either of these guys (nor Connolly for that matter) penciled in for checking-line play.

Connolly will be returned to the Prince George Cougars of the WHL, while Ashton will return to the Regina Pats (also of the WHL) and Panik to the Bellevile Bulls of the OHL.

The team roster is now down to 49 players, with more cuts likely coming after Saturday night's game against the Calgary Flames.

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Surprised...

…but only at the timing. I would have expected them to be sent back after the final preseason game. However, sending them back earlier lets the players being sent back get more integrated with their teams, and allows the players remaining to get a closer look by Boucher.

Again, an expected move, but I saw enough this summer to be excited about their ability and skill in 2011 or 2012.

by MTBoltFan on Sep 24, 2010 3:01 PM EDT reply actions

speaking of being integrated with their team...

Connolly has already been voted team captain of the Prince George Cougars.

"Seen Cincuenta" -- 04.10.10 -- Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Sep 24, 2010 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Surprised a bit

that Ashton was sent to juniors instead of going to Norfolk. Can they pull him out of juniors during the season and move him to Norfolk without any repurcussions?

by Lightningfan7609 on Sep 24, 2010 9:21 PM EDT reply actions

We're going to have to do a post on junior/pro promotions in the near future

Rules are murky. Carter is considered an over-ager but can be returned tot eh Regina Pats because of one rule or another.

By comparison, James Wright cannot be sent back to the Vancouver Giants again (his junior team) and will play as a professional this season either with the Everblades, Admirals or Lightning.

Radko Gudas is in the same boat — he played junior hockey last year but he cannot be sent back to the Everett Silvertips. This is partly because of age, and probably also because he is a European import.

…but Richard Panik is able to be sent back to Juniors? Even though he is a Euro import?

The only way Ashton, Panik, or Connolly (or any other junior level player that was sent back to juniors) can get pro-minutes is if their junior team’s season ends before the end of the AHL/ECHL/NHL season and the players are signed to tryout contracts (or some such).

"Seen Cincuenta" -- 04.10.10 -- Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Sep 25, 2010 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions

I believe the rule is that junior players can only stay in camp for nine days before being sent back to juniors or being signed to a contract – minor league or NHL. It’s a junior hockey rule, not an NHL rule. It has something to do with eligibility. Canadians consider major juniors to be an amateur league, tho the NCAA doesn’t agree with their definition of “amateur”.

To qualify as an over-ager in juniors, you have to be 20 years old going into the season, and they can only carry three over-agers. They can also only carry two European players – that is, guys who played in Europe before playing in major juniors. That doesn’t apply to Europeans who played in North America, say in college, and then decided to play in major juniors – I think. At least, that’s how the WHL does things.

If Vinny isn't going back to play in Québec, then Québec is coming to play with Vinny. Tampa Bay Lightning 2010-2011.

Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community. Follow me on Twitter: @dagmar27.

by Cassie McClellan on Sep 25, 2010 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions