Once again the Tampa Bay Lightning crossed the Atlantic Ocean to add some depth to their organization. On Thursday they announced that they had signed Wojciech Stachowiak to a one-year, entry-level contract. The 25-year-old forward has spent most of his professional career with ERC Ingolstadt of the DEL in Germany. Last season he put up 30 points (10 goals, 20 assists) in 52 games and added another 11 points (6 goals, 5 assists) in 12 playoff games.
The 6’1, 187 lb. forward will get a look in training camp at filling out a role on the bottom-six, but most likely will spend the season in Syracuse. He does have a few years of North American hockey mixed in with his European experience as he played one season in the USHL with the Central Illinois Flying Aces (where he was a teammate with former Lightning draft pick Nick Capone). He followed that up with two seasons at Michigan State where he appeared in a total of 40 games and scored four goals.
With North American hockey in disarray during the 2020 COVID lock down, Stachowiak went back to Europe to play in the DEL. While the German league is improving in its competitiveness, it’s not one of the top European leagues just yet. The competition level is probably around the ECHL level.
One thing to note about the left-shot forward is that he does have extensive international experience playing for Team Germany (he was born in Poland, but has dual nationality). In 25 games over 3 World Championships he has 21 points (7 goals, 14 assists). He’s added another 28 points (8 goals, 20 assists) in 32 other international competitions.
Stachowiak should fit in well in the Lightning’s system. He’s been described as playing with a high motor, is responsible up-and-down the ice, and has some pretty nice hands.
Germany's top line gets on the board. Wojciech Stachowiak makes it 3-1. #MensWorlds
— Steven Ellis (@stevenpellis.ca) May 13, 2025 at 11:29 AM
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General Manager Julien BriseBois (who was in Sweden and saw Stachowiak at the World Championships) continues to add to the organization’s depth with low-risk, high-reward type players.
