Bolt Prospects: Three Stars of the Week for February 22
Each week ESPN Florida highlights three prospects in the Tampa Bay Lightning organization making an impact for their respective teams.
This week’s three stars go to:
First Star
Pat Nagle, G, Florida Everblades (ECHL – USA)
Nagle has had an up-and-down first professional season. The free agent signee out of Ferris State has had hot streaks, but also stretches where he’s lost his starting job and Florida has had to bring in competition to push him.
This past week, the 6’2” 185-pound goaltender won all three games in which he played and put up a goals-against average of 1.63 and a save percentage of .944.
He was named the Reebok Hockey ECHL Goaltender of the Week for his fine play.
For the year, the 24-year-old Michigander is 17-12-0-3 with a 2.86 GAA and .904 save percentage. He will compete for playing time in Norfolk next season as he tries to work his way up to the NHL. He provides the Lightning with goaltending depth in the system.
Second Star
Alex Hutchings, W, Florida Everblades (ECHL – USA)
A fourth round pick of the Lightning in 2009, Hutchings was first star here at ESPN Florida last week for scoring in his first game in three months and following that up with two points the next game out.
Hutchings hadn’t played since November 12 due to an upper-body injury.
That hot streak continued this past week when Hutchings played in four games and totaled seven points (three goals). He has at least one point in all six games since returning to the ice.
On Monday he had an assist in South Carolina, then followed that up with two assists in a win Wednesday, two goals in Friday’s win (first star), and the overtime winner Saturday (third star) – all against the same team. Florida won their five game mini-series with the Stingrays 4-1.
Hutchings is playing so well he may work himself onto AHL Norfolk’s roster should the Admirals continue to lose players to the Lightning. He’s a much different player than he was as a pro rookie last season.
For the year Hutchings has 11 goals and 22 points in 20 games with the Everblades. He is also plus-8.
Third Star
Ondrej Palat, W, Norfolk Admirals (AHL – USA)
A seventh round pick of the Bolts in 2011 out of Drummondville of the QMJHL, Palat was watched closely with the Lightning’s entry in the south Florida prospect tournament and throughout Tampa Bay and Norfolk training camps. He eventually earned a contract with the Bolts, his first professional contract. There was some question during Lightning camp if he would return to the Q where he finished fourth in scoring last season with 96 points (39 goals) in 61 games. Alas, he stayed with the Admirals and has contributed in 41 games, totaling 16 points (four goals). Palat, like most pro rookies, got off to a slow start but has played much more consistently as of late.
This past week the 20-year-old Czech had three points in three games for the Ads, including a two-point game Wednesday in a 4-0 shutout of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He was named second star for his efforts that night. He registered an assist in both of Norfolk’s additional games last weekend.
Palat has good skill and above-average offensive instincts. The more weight he adds (he’s listed at 6’0” 180-pounds) and experience he gains in the professional ranks, the greater his chances of pushing for time with the Lightning in a couple years.
For more Lightning prospect information and daily updates, see ESPN Florida partner Bolt Prospects at boltprospects.com (Photo courtesy of swamphockey.com)
Tags: Tampa Bay Lightning
