FROM LIGHTNING MEDIA RELEASES
 

Prospal to Philly for Picard

FEBRUARY 24, 2008 -- TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning have acquired defenseman Alexandre Picard and either a second or third-round pick from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for center/left wing Vaclav Prospal, Executive Vice President and General Manager Jay Feaster announced. If Philadelphia qualifies for the 2008 Eastern Conference Finals Tampa Bay will receive Philadelphia’s second-round pick in 2009, and if they do not the Lightning will receive Calgary’s third-round pick in 2009.

"Alexander Picard is a young prospect with good size and excellent hockey sense who has played in the NHL," said Feaster. "We believe he has a significant amount of upside in his future. In moving Vaclav Prospal we wanted to add to our organizational depth, and by acquiring both a young defenseman and a future draft pick we were able to achieve that goal."

A native of Gatineau, Quebec, Picard has played in 53 games with the Philadelphia Phantoms of the American Hockey League this season and ranks second on the team, first among defensemen, in points with 38. His eight goals and five power-play goals also lead all Phantom defensemen. Picard represented Philadelphia at the 2008 AHL All-Star Game and recorded one assist. He has established AHL career highs this season in goals, assists and points.

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound defenseman has played in 134 career AHL games recording 16 goals and 74 points. He has played his entire three-season AHL career with the Phantoms. He has also played in two career Calder Cup Playoff games.

The 22-year-old was drafted by Philadelphia in the third-round, 85th overall, at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He played in 255 career junior games with Halifax and Cape Breton of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and recorded 31 goals and 122 points.

Boyle signs extension

[ED. NOTE: 6-year, $40M per Canadian Press]

FEBRUARY 25, 2008 -- TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed defenseman Dan Boyle to a six-year contract extension today, Executive Vice President and General Manager Jay Feaster announced.

"We are extremely pleased to have Dan back in the fold for the next six years," Feaster said. "Our team and our fans have been able to witness first-hand, during Dan's injury and recovery, how tough it is to win without Dan in our line-up. As John Tortorella has consistently said, Danny is the player that makes our offense go from the back end, and this signing demonstrates the commitment of current and prospective ownership to ice a championship caliber team in Tampa."

"I am grateful that we were able to get the deal done today," said Boyle. "I am very proud of what we have been able to accomplish here in Tampa over the past few years, including winning the Stanley Cup. And while this year may not have gone the way we have liked to this point, I am confident we can return to those winning ways very quickly. Otherwise, I would not have made the commitment to stay with the Lightning."

Boyle, a native of Ottawa, Ontario, was selected to the NHL’s Post-Season Second All-Star Team in 2006-07 after setting a franchise record for goals by a defenseman in a season with 20. He ranked fourth on the Lightning in points (63), goals (20), assists (43) and power-play goals (10). His 63 points were the second most all-time by a Tampa Bay defenseman in a season.

Considered one of the best puck-moving defensemen in the league, Boyle has played in 503 NHL games with the Lightning and the Florida Panthers with 75 career goals, 278 points, 33 power play goals and 13 game-winning goals. He has played in 374 games for Tampa Bay, recording 65 goals, 239 points, 30 power play goals and 12 game-winning goals. Boyle needs one goal to become the Lightning’s all-time leader in goals by a defenseman with 66 (Pavel Kubina, 65). He ranks 13th on the franchise list in games played, eighth in points, sixth in assists, and seventh in power play goals.

Boyle, in his sixth season with Tampa Bay, won the Stanley Cup with the Lightning in 2003-04 and played in all 23 games en route to his first championship. He scored two goals and recorded 10 points in those games. He was selected to the taxi squad for the 2006 Canadian Olympic Team.

The 5-foot-11, 184-pound defenseman has three goals and 11 points in 17 games with the Lightning this season. He missed 45 games earlier this season following wrist surgery. He has one multi-goal game and three multi-point games since his return. He has averaged 27:34 of ice time per game this season, including playing more than 30 minutes in five games since returning.

Boyle was acquired from Florida on January 7, 2002 in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He was originally signed by Florida as an undrafted free agent on March 30, 1998.

OK Hockey LLC to Acquire the Tampa Bay Lightning from Palace Sports & Entertainment

AUBURN HILLS, MICHIGAN and LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, February 13, 2008 – Palace Sports & Entertainment and OK Hockey LLC, an entity controlled by Oren Koules, announced today that they have entered into a definitive purchase agreement whereby OK Hockey LLC would acquire the Tampa Bay Lightning, the leasehold rights to the St. Pete Times Forum and approximately 5.5 acres of land in Tampa’s Channelside District from Palace Sports & Entertainment. Completion of the transaction, which is expected to close within the next 105 days, is contingent on customary closing conditions and final approval from the National Hockey League.

“We are pleased to move forward with Oren Koules and OK Hockey LLC as the next owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning, “ said Tom Wilson, President and CEO of Palace Sports & Entertainment. “Oren is a passionate hockey man who cares deeply about the franchise and the Tampa Bay community. We look forward to a smooth transition and a terrific future as he assumes control of the Lightning.”

Oren Koules, Manager of OK Hockey LLC stated, “We are happy that we are able to take this next significant step towards ownership of the Lightning. We are very excited about today’s announcement and look forward to the day when we can make a difference for the Lightning and its fans.”

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