On Saturday afternoon, the Tampa Bay Lightning and Syracuse Crunch announced the one-year contract extensions for two of the organization’s prospects: Tanner Richard and Joel Vermin.
Richard, a left wing, was drafted in the 2012 NHL draft at 73rd overall and made his AHL debut late in the 2012-13 season, playing 8 games with the Bolts new AHL affiliate in Syracuse. In his time with the Crunch since his debut, Richard has notched 26 goals and 86 assists in 214 games played for the Crunch.
On the other hand, the Swiss Joel Vermin was a 7th round, 2013 draft pick by the Bolts. The 24 year-old RW played 118 games at the NHL level since the 2013-14 season, putting up 21 goals and 33 assists during that span… He also made his NHL debut this season, being recalled by the Lightning and appearing in 6 games for Tampa Bay, chipping in a single assist. His tenure with the Lightning was cut short by way of a hand injury suffered in December that required surgery, dialing back his playing time with the Crunch to 37 total games this season.
Both players are currently Black Aces with the Lightning, participating in practices and training with the franchise at current. Where they end up next season – again at the AHL level or spending time on the Tampa Bay roster – won’t be set until the off-season dust settles with roster moves during the summer of 2016.
