Tampa Bay Lightning sign Sean Bergenheim
The Tampa Bay Lightning have announced that they have come to terms with speedy forward Sean Bergenheim
Bergenheim, a native of Helsinki, Finland, was drafted 22nd overall by the New York Islanders in the 2002 National Hockey League Entry draft.
Bergenheim split his first two seasons between the Islanders and their American Hockey League affiliate the Bridgeport Sounds Tigers before heading off to play in Europe. He then joined the Islanders full time for the 2007-08 season, and managed 10 goals and 22 points. He spent two more seasons with the Islanders before being let go as a free agent at the end of last season.
Tampa Bay general manager Steve Yzerman had this to say of the Bergenheim signing: “We are happy to add Sean to the Lightning roster today. He is a competitive left winger who is also a solid two-way player. We believe he is a good addition to our team.”
Bergenheim is expected to bring some offence to the table, but will be relied upon mostly as a defensive forward. Expected to play with Dominic Moore, and Ted Purcell on the Lightning’s third line, Bergenheim will be responsible for shutting down opponents' top scoring unit.
As a 24-year-old this was a good signing for the Lightning moving forward. Bergenheim will not garner an expensive contract and is able to play in several different situations. Moreover, he is still thought to have some potential, and if he is able to find his game with a more skilled Tampa Bay squad this could be a very important signing for the Lightning in 2010-11.
Yzerman continues to revamp a Tampa Bay side that struggled last season, and Bergenheim looks like the final piece to his forward corps.
Last season with the Islanders Bergenheim recorded 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points in 63 games, while going plus-one.
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