Jul 29, 2008 - 5:13 PM
0 shoutsST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Ticker) -- The Tampa Bay Lightning didn't wait long to sign the top overall pick of the 2008 draft.
The Lightning on Tuesday signed center Steven Stamkos of the Ontario Hockey League's Sarnia Sting.
The deal is a three-year entry-level contract, which consists of an $875,000 base salary and could be worth up to $2.85 million.
Stamkos is the third player drafted first overall in franchise history. Tampa Bay picked defenseman Roman Hamrlik first in 1992 and selected Vincent Lecavalier with the top pick in 1998.
"It is with great pleasure that we formally announce the signing of Steven today," vice president of hockey operations Brian 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."
An 18-year-old center, Stamkos had long been considered the top prospect in this year's draft. The native of Scarborough, Ontario recorded 105 points in 61 games with Sarnia, finishing second in the league with 58 goals.
Stamkos was among the league leaders in numerous categories in 2007-08 with nine game-winning goals (second), 23 power-play tallies (third) and five shorthanders (fifth). He was named OHL Player of the Month for February and netted 11 goals in nine playoff games for the Sting.
Stamkos, who helped Canada to the gold medal at this year's World Junior Championship, has no apparent flaws in his game. The 5-11, 176-pounder is a superb skater who is gifted offensively and responsible defensively and has tremendous leadership skills, drawing comparisons to Hall of Famer Steve Yzerman.
In two seasons with Sarnia, Stamkos registered 100 goals and 97 assists in 124 games. He was runner-up to Patrick Kane for the OHL Rookie of the Year award in 2006-07 and won the Bobby Smith Trophy as the league's scholastic player of the year.
Selected first overall by the Sting in the 2006 OHL Priority Draft, Stamkos amassed 105 goals and 92 assists with the Markham Waxers AAA midget team in 2005.
