/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/TMAWU2AAS5C4HKDIHGBY7XDTFY.jpg "Lightning defenseman prospect Jack Thompson, who participated in last year's preseason rookie camp, will likely headline this year's showcase at Hertz Arena in Estero.")
The Lightning’s annual preseason prospect showcase will take place Sept. 15-18 at the Hertz Arena in Estero, the team announced Monday.
This year’s event, the Southeast Rookie Showcase hosted by the Panthers, will include top prospects from the Lightning, Panthers, Hurricanes and Predators. Team will play three games, one against each opponent, over the four-day event, opening with the Lightning facing Nashville.
The rosters will include most of the team’s top signed prospects slated for the organization’s minor-league affiliates in AHL Syracuse and ECHL Orlando. Many also will receive invitations to Lightning training camp, expected to start the following week, for the opportunity to crack the NHL roster. Draftees still in the college and junior ranks won’t attend as they prepare for their upcoming seasons. The roster for this year’s showcase will be announced in the weeks leading up to the event.
Last season’s participants included defenseman Nick Perbix and forwards Cole Koepke and Gabriel Fortier, all of whom saw regular-season action with the Lightning during the 2022-23 season. Perbix didn’t make the opening night roster, but quickly emerged as a top right-shot defenseman, playing 69 regular-season games with Tampa Bay and averaging 18:47 of ice time in the postseason. Koepke made the opening night roster and played 17 games with the Lightning.
Showcase games will be free and open to the public. Lightning games will be streamed live on the team website at TampaBayLightning.com.
2023 Southeast Rookie Showcase
All games at Hertz Arena, Estero
Friday, Sept. 15
Predators vs. Lightning, 4 p.m.
Panthers vs. Hurricanes, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 16
Hurricanes vs. Lightning, 3 p.m.
Panthers vs. Predators, 6 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 17
Practice day
Monday, Sept. 18
Predators vs. Hurricanes, 10 a.m.
Lightning vs. Panthers, 1 p.m.
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