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Adam Erne eager for chance with Lightning

 
Although he failed to make the U.S. team for the world junior championships in December, Adam Erne led the QMJHL's Quebec Remparts with 41 goals and added 45 assists. [DIRK SHADD | Times (2013)]
Although he failed to make the U.S. team for the world junior championships in December, Adam Erne led the QMJHL's Quebec Remparts with 41 goals and added 45 assists. [DIRK SHADD | Times (2013)]
Published July 1, 2015

BRANDON — When LW Adam Erne watched the Lightning's run to the Stanley Cup final, the No. 33 overall pick of the 2013 draft had the same thoughts he has often had when watching Tampa Bay play: Sooner or later, that could be me on the ice.

"I've been thinking that since the day I got drafted ..." Erne said Tuesday after the first day of the Lightning's development camp at the Ice Sports Forum. "There's still work that needs to be put in. But it's not as far away as it was last year."

The 20-year-old Erne has already seen another Lightning player from the same draft class — LW Jonathan Drouin — make an impression with Tampa Bay, recording 28 assists during the regular season. Erne had a locker next to Drouin's at last year's development camp and competed against him in juniors.

While Drouin was taking his lumps as an NHL rookie, Erne was having the most productive year of his career. Although he failed to make the U.S. team for the world junior championships in December, he led the QMJHL's Quebec Remparts with 41 goals and added 45 assists. His 30 postseason points were second in the league, and he attributed his 102 penalty minutes to a desire to become a leader and stick up for his teammates by fighting, when necessary.

"I was very happy," said Stacy Roest, the Lightning's director of player development. "I love going in there and watching him play. His work ethic's really come along, and he's committed. You look at him, he's a big boy, thick. He can skate, he can shoot, he can pass. He needs a good summer, then we'll see where we're at."

HIGH EXPECTATIONS: Although work remains for D Anthony DeAngelo in the coming weeks, Roest said last year's first-round pick came into camp in good shape and that his next step will be to compete for a spot with the Lightning this fall.

"I always tell all the kids, every time you go to camp, you have a chance to make the team," Roest said. "Don't just short-sell yourself and say, I'm going to Syracuse this year. Sometimes you look around the league, some players come out of the blue and make the team. That's the reality."

LATE SHOW: A large time difference meant that the Stanley Cup final aired late at night, but that didn't stop RW Jonne Tammela from keeping up with the NHL. This year's fourth-round pick said he stayed up to watch the final two games but caught highlights of the rest. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound Tammela came away with an appreciation for All-Star C Tyler Johnson, a similarly undersized forward.

"He's pretty good," Tammela said. "He's kind of a smaller guy."

Tammela was chosen Tuesday by the OHL's Peterborough Petes in the CHL import draft. Tammela said he will probably continue playing at the top level in Finland next year.

INJURY UPDATE: D Dominik Masin, last year's No. 35 overall pick, is the only limited participant in camp. Masin, who had his season end in February after falling into an open bench door, will skate but won't compete in drills with the puck. He's expected to be fine by training camp.

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Contact Matt Baker at mbaker@tampabay.com. Follow @MBakerTBTimes.