Prospect Carter Ashton ready to make it big in Tampa Bay Lightning training camp for next season
Carter Ashton, Tampa Bay Lightning’s 29th overall pick during round-one of the 2009 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft, might not have had a chance to play in the major league yet, but this year’s training camp is sure to be different for
the 20-year-old right winger.
It has been two seasons since Ashton was drafted, and still he has not impressed the Lightning management enough to bring him up on the line-up. Along with a number of other prospects, Ashton will compete for his spot on the roster and eventually hopes to
change the minds of Tampa Bay management.
"Obviously I'd have to prove myself", Ashton told NHL.com. "But that's my goal, just to be in the NHL this season".
Tampa Bay made it deep into the playoffs in June during the 2011 NHL Postseason, as they reached the Eastern Conference Finals after an amazing six straight win record against Pittsburgh and Boston Bruins, but lost eventually to the now Stanley Cup winners,
in a close seven-game series.
Lightning want to change that up now. Winning their last Stanley Cup against Calgary Flames in the 2004 Finals, Tampa Bay has its mind set on making those minor changes that will benefit them next season, not only in the playoffs, but during the regular
season as well, changes which just might include Carter Ashton.
"I think just kind of go out there and be positive and learn as much as you can in the opportunity we have", Ashton said. "We obviously have a couple skates and a couple of scrimmages to prove yourself".
Since Tampa Bay is not lacking behind when it comes to players who can score, most analysts are of the view that Ashton needs to become a grinder and increase his physicality when it comes to playing on the major league ice.
With his 6-foot-3, 215lbs frame, Ashton can easily achieve that feat and become a menacing force for Tampa Bay to increase their physical contact with other teams.
"Everyone's goal here is to just play at the NHL level", Ashton said. "I feel like I have to learn some things in the process, but I'm ready to prove myself".
Taking this summer camp as an opportunity to learn and improve his game, Carter Ashton hopes that it will be enough for his original draft team to finally give him a chance during the upcoming 2011-2012 season.
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