The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed center Steven Stamkos to a three-year, entry-level contract today, vice president of hockey operations Brian Lawton announced today at a press conference at Bear Mountain Resort in Victoria, British Columbia. Stamkos is currently attending the Lightning’s prospect camp in Victoria.
“It is with great pleasure that we formally announce the signing of Steven today,” Lawton said. “It is obvious to all of our staff in a brief period of time that Steven is a very special young man with great potential. His work ethic and eagerness to learn have been very impressive. We believe with our veteran leadership that Tampa Bay is the perfect scenario for Steven to grow and mature as a player and person on and off the ice.”
Stamkos, a 6-foot-1, 196-pound native of Markham, Ontario, was rated as the consensus top overall pick in this year’s draft and was subsequently selected first overall by Tampa Bay. Stamkos ranked second in the Ontario Hockey League last season with 58 goals and fifth in points with 197 in 61 games with the Sarnia Sting. His nine game-winning goals were tied for second in the OHL, his 23 power-play goals were third and his five shorthanded goals ranked tied for fifth. He scored 11 goals, including four in Game 4 of Sarnia’s first-round match-up with the Windsor Spitfires, in nine games during the 2008 OHL Playoffs.
Tampa Bay Lightning - News: Lightning Sign Stamkos to Three-Year Contract - 07/29/2008 
Lightning Sign Stamkos to Three-Year Contract
Lightning Sign Stamkos to Three-Year Contract 
