The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Lightning play their home games at Amalie Arena in downtown Tampa.
Quick Answers
Where is the Lightning’s home arena located?
The Lightning play their home games at Amalie Arena in downtown Tampa, Florida.
What division and conference do the Lightning play in?
The Lightning are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the NHL.
When did the Lightning join the NHL?
The Tampa Bay Lightning joined the NHL as an expansion team in 1992.
History of the Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning were founded in 1992 as one of the NHL’s first expansion teams in the Southern United States. The team is owned by Jeffrey Vinik. Since beginning play in 1992, the Lightning have appeared in four Stanley Cup Finals, winning the championship in 2004. Some key moments in Lightning history include:
1992 – The Lightning are formed as an expansion team and play their first game on October 7, 1992 against the Chicago Blackhawks.
1996 – The Lightning draft Vinny Lecavalier with the first overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft. Lecavalier goes on to play 14 seasons with Tampa Bay.
1999 – The Lightning move into their new home arena, the Ice Palace (later renamed the St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa Bay Times Forum, and now Amalie Arena).
2002-03 – Tampa Bay makes their first Stanley Cup appearance after posting a club record 106 points in the regular season. They lose to the New Jersey Devils in the Finals.
2003-04 – The Lightning win their first and only Stanley Cup championship, defeating the Calgary Flames in seven games. Brad Richards wins the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
2008-09 – Tampa Bay sets a franchise record with 24 straight wins at home during the regular season.
2011 – Jeff Vinik purchases the Lightning, signaling a new era for the franchise.
Lightning Arena: Amalie Arena
The Tampa Bay Lightning have played their home games at Amalie Arena in downtown Tampa since 1996. Here are some key facts about the Lightning’s home arena:
- Opened in 1996 as the Ice Palace
- Renamed the St. Pete Times Forum in 2002
- Renamed Tampa Bay Times Forum in 2012
- Current name Amalie Arena since 2014
- Located in Tampa’s Channelside District
- Seating capacity of 19,092 for hockey
- Hosts over 150 events per year
In addition to Lightning games, Amalie Arena is home to the Arena Football League’s Tampa Bay Storm and also hosts many concerts and other events. The arena has helped anchor downtown Tampa’s redevelopment since opening in 1996.
Lightning Franchise Records
Over their history, the Tampa Bay Lightning have set several franchise records across a number of statistical categories:
Category | Record | Player |
---|---|---|
Games Played | 1,134 | Vincent Lecavalier |
Goals | 384 | Vincent Lecavalier |
Assists | 588 | Martin St. Louis |
Points | 953 | Martin St. Louis |
Penalty Minutes | 2,239 | Zenon Konopka |
Wins (goalie) | 288 | Andrei Vasilevskiy |
Martin St. Louis holds most of the Lightning’s scoring records after a prolific career in Tampa Bay from 2000-2014. Current starting goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy is quickly climbing the franchise wins list for goalies and will likely take over the top spot soon.
Current Lightning Roster
The current 2022-23 Tampa Bay Lightning roster features a mix of longtime veterans, recent additions, and young talent:
Position | Player |
---|---|
Center | Steven Stamkos |
Center | Brayden Point |
Left Wing | Alex Killorn |
Left Wing | Brandon Hagel |
Right Wing | Nikita Kucherov |
Right Wing | Corey Perry |
Defense | Victor Hedman |
Defense | Ryan McDonagh |
Goalie | Andrei Vasilevskiy |
Goalie | Brian Elliott |
Team captain Steven Stamkos and defenseman Victor Hedman continue to lead the way for Tampa, while young talents like Brayden Point and Andrei Vasilevskiy represent the next generation. Recent trade addition Brandon Hagel provides a spark on the wing.
Conclusion
For over 30 years, the Tampa Bay Lightning have established themselves as an excellent NHL franchise and perennial contender. Led by a strong ownership group, knowledgeable front office, and talented on-ice product, the Lightning appear poised to continue their winning ways for years to come. The support from passionate fans in the Tampa region has helped cement the Lightning’s status as a staple in the community. With Amalie Arena providing a first-class venue for games, the future looks bright for this accomplished hockey club.