Bolt Bits

2001 4^th round draft pick Aaron Lobb was traded from the London Knights to the Guelph Storm. A much needed change for the struggling prospect. Through the first ten games of the season, Lobb posted one goal and two assists for the Knights. Since his trade, he has added two more assists in three games, both on game winning goals.

“He needed a change,” said London General Manager Mark Hunter of Lobb. “Sometimes a player gets in a rut and it becomes an anchor on his back. I’ve been there myself.”

Rookie Jimmie Olvestad has not scored since opening night in Tampa Bay, but the young Swede is making his mark in other areas. He led the team in hits for most of the season and is currently ranked second behind Pavel Kubina, with 10 hits in 8 games. While averaging 13:25 minutes a game, Olvestad is one of only seven Lightning players ranked in the plus side of the goal differential category.

The Lightning have signed camp invitee Gaetan Royer and assigned him to the Pensacola Ice Pilots of the East Coast Hockey League.style=”mso-spacerun: yes”> Royer is known for his rough style, often filling the enforcer role. He has bounced around the minor leagues throughout his career but has yet to play an NHL game. Gaetan’s brother Remi, who played for the Chicago Blackhawks and was also invited to Tampa Bay’s Training Camp signed with the Ice Pilots.

Ryan Tobler was not thought of as an offensive force when he first arrived in Tampa Bay, but he is quickly proving otherwise. In 5 games with the Springfield Falcons, Tobler is leading the team with 4 goals and is tied for the lead with 8 points. He also first in power play goals, since all four of his goals came on the power play.

Most recently, Tobler and Keefe teamed up, combing for 3 goals and 2 assist in the Falcons 5-3 loss to Quebec. Goaltender Dieter Kochan added to their outstanding effort stopping 42 of the 46 shots he faced, but the tandem was not enough to put the Falcons on top. Tobler earned second star of the game and Kochan third, despite the loss.

MIA

The Lightning’s future sniper, Dimitry Afanasenkov appears to have gone AWOL! In the first five games of the season, Afanasenkov is scoreless and with a minus-3 rating. He has twice been a healthy scratch.

In penalty minutes at least. In seven regular season games, 2001 Draftee Arthur Femenella is leading the USHL with 52 penalty minutes. The Sioux City Musketeers are second in their division behind Sioux Falls, with a 6-2-0 record.

As the ECAC season kicks off, Brown and Harvard will face each other in their season openers on November 3^rd at Harvard. The two teams will scrimmage on October 24^th at Brown. In net for Brown will be Lightning prospect, Brian Eklund. While Left Wing, Dennis Packard, will be up front for Harvard.