Quick Strikes: The road trip continues in Montreal

The Bolts

Tod Leiweke, former CEO of the Tampa Bay Lightning, visited the University of South Florida yesterday.

Up first tonight: Former #TBLightning CEO Tod Leiweke, who now serves as COO for the @NFL. pic.twitter.com/mM9fbyxNQN

— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) October 26, 2016

Bolts captain Steven Stamkos is feeling rejuvenated after signing a long-term contract during the offseason to stay in Tampa. That bodes well for him in his quest for a second Rocket Richard Trophy. [The Hockey News]

“[The Lightning] are number one on ESPN’s franchise list. Now it’s time to be number one in the NHL.” The Bolts got a shout-out in Elliotte Friedman’s “30 Thoughts.” [Sportsnet]

Around the Hockey World

“The game of hockey is an art.” Wayne Gretzky talked about the 99^th anniversary of the NHL and much more in this interview with NPR. [NPR]

On Oct. 26, 1997, then-Detroit Red Wing Steve Yzerman passed Alex Delvecchio as the longest-serving captain in League history. Kudos to our Jedi Master! [NHL.com]

Further proof that hockey players are some of the best people in the world: after being hit by a puck and receiving stitches, nine-year-old Alex Vaughn got an opportunity he will never forget. St. Louis Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko gave Alex a tour of the locker room after their next game and probably left him with memories that will last a lifetime. [NHL.com]

After a disappointing 2015-16 season and the departure of head coach Patrick Roy, the Colorado Avalanche are looking once again like a team with a chance at the postseason. [Sportsnet]

The reigning National Champions out of North Dakota are piling up wins early in the season. Problem is, they are doing it against some easy opponents. Can they keep it up when the schedule gets tough? [Yahoo! Sports]