Coming off a a grand premiere sason in the National Hockey League and an outstanding performance at the 2014 IIHF World Championship, center Tyler Johnson, 23, has been re-signed by the Tampa Bay Lightning for three more years. Johnson was scheduled to become a restricted free agent during the off-season.
In the 2013-14 season, a finalist for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s best rookie, collected 24 goals and a total of 50 points. His 24 goals were a record among Lightning rookies.
After the season concluded with the Bolts being swept out of the first round of the playoffs, Tyler Johnson joined the United States Men’s National Team for the IIHF World Championship, held in Belarus. Just yesterday, Team USA was downed by the Czech Republic in the quarterfinal round of the playoffs, but Tyler Johnson shined through the entire tournament. Johnson, originally from Spokane, Washington, had a team-high six goals in eight games-including two within 13 seconds yesterday-at the tournament while finishing second among skaters from all participating countries.
Despite Johnson’s new contract, General Manager Steve Yzerman still has plenty of work to do this off-season, including the re-signing of many other restricted and unrestricted free agents. Stay tuned to Raw Charge throughout the off-season for updates.
