The Tampa Bay Lightning committed player has announced an unexpected retirement leaving Jon Cooper completely perplexed.
On April 13, 2011, during the first game of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal playoff series at Pittsburgh, PA’s Consol Energy Center, the Tampa Bay Lightning captain Vincent Lecavalier searches for the puck during the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 3-0 victory. Archie Carpenter/UPI provided the file photo.
The Tampa Bay Lightning announced on Monday that Vincent Lecavalier will become the second player in franchise history to have his number retired.
On February 10, 2018, the Lightning will hold a ceremony to retire Lecavalier’s No. 4 before the team plays the Los Angeles Kings at home.
Lecavalier, who played for the team for 14 years, is the franchise’s all-time top goal scorer (383). During his second season, the 19-year-old Quebec native was named the team’s captain, making him the youngest player to wear the “C” in NHL history.
In a team statement, Lecavalier, 37, expressed gratitude to the Lightning organization and chairman Jeff Vinik for honoring him with this achievement. “It is a great honor to have my number retired,” he said. It is especially special to share this honor with everyone because of the amazing treatment my family and I have received from the Tampa Bay community and our fans. We can’t wait to share so many memories on February 10th with my family and I.”
Lecavalier scored 874 points in 1,037 games during his time with Tampa Bay, making him, along with Martin St. Louis, the only other Lightning player to have their number retired.
“We are thrilled to retire another one of our franchise’s great players, and it’s extra special since this year we will be celebrating our 25th anniversary,” Vinik stated.
“Vinny was a tremendous player during his 14 years with the team and a true ambassador and hero for many people in Tampa Bay for his tireless work in the community.”
In 2004, Lecavalier assisted the Lightning in winning the Stanley Cup. His finest season was 2006–07, when he scored 52 goals and 108 points for the Lightning and took home the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy as the NHL’s top goal scorer.
After 17 seasons in the NHL, and 421 goals and 949 points in 1,212 games with the Philadelphia Flyers, Kings, and Lightning, the four-time All-Star announced his retirement in June 2016.
Tampa Bay selected Lecavalier with the first overall pick in the 1998 NHL draft.
