RALEIGH, NC – JANUARY 22: Teammates celebrate with Cory Conacher #89 of the Tampa Bay Lightning after his first period goal against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena on January 22, 2013 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Cory Conacher has been the biggest surprise for the Lightning so far in this abbreviated season. Conacher scored the eventual game winner in last night’s (1/22) game against the Hurricanes to bring his points streak to three games. The rookie tallied his first assist, and then his first goal on January 19 versus the rival Capitals, had 2 assists in a 4-3 loss Monday (1/21) against the Islanders, and added a goal yesterday. Playing in the AHL for the Norfolk Admirals, Conacher recorded 39 goals and 41 assists in 75 games while scoring 2 goals and 13 assists in 18 playoff games. This year with the Syracuse Crunch, Conacher tallied 12 goals and 16 assists in 36 games. The experience in the minor league system has paid off so far for him in three games with the Lightning.

Conacher has spent the majority of his time playing with Teddy Purcell and Vincent Lecavalier, but Monday Guy Boucher placed the rookie on a line with Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis. The amount of speed on that line is equal to no other, and it nearly led to a 4 goal comeback. Conacher fit in perfectly with veteran St. Louis and superstar Stamkos, which is definitely a good sign. With Boucher coaching the team, lines are never stagnant. Certain players will be mixed and thrown out on the ice with different players in different situations, so it is highly important for every player to be adaptive and for the entire team to have good chemistry with players outside of their usual linemates. Guy Boucher said this on Conacher following the first game on the 19th:

He fits right in. This guy is ready. It’s not a project and he’s ready to go. He’s got speed, he made some terrific plays, scored a goal and deserved it. – Guy Boucher on Cory Conacher

RALEIGH, NC – JANUARY 22: Coach Guy Boucher of the Tampa Bay Lightning talks with his players during a game against the Carolina Hurricanes during play at PNC Arena on January 22, 2013 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

Conacher fits right into the system employed with the Lightning by coach Boucher, and this is definitely a good sign for other prospects coming up through the AHL into the NHL. Players like Brett Connolly, Mike Angelidis, J.T. Brown and J.T. Wyman have already made appearances with the Lightning. While they were all sent back down to the AHL, they all made impressive first impressions. Pierre-Cedric Labrie and Keith Aulie also spent time in the AHL during the lockout, and have also performed up to par. With the Admirals ending the season on a phenomenal run eventually winning the Calder Cup, it seems rather obvious now that the Lightning organization has a solid game plan for developing prospects.

(All Syracuse Crunch player stats can be found here.)

Boucher’s comments on Conacher: Cory Conacher: My First Goal

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Angie and myself during his time in Norfolk I gave him the nick name Jesus Angelidis

If you look up the word perseverance in the dictionary, you will find the definition “continued effort to achieve something despite difficulties”.  The Captain of the 2011-2012 Calder Cup Champions, the Norfolk Admirals, could write a book on perseverance.  Nothing held Mike Angelidis down—not being an undrafted prospect, not spending 5 and a half seasons in the minor leagues, and not suffering a late night bus accident when playing for the Albany River Rats in 2008.  The accident left some of his teammates hospitalized with serious injuries, however, not even a week after the accident Angelidis was back on the ice playing 3 games in 4 nights.

Mike Angelidis started his pro career with the Carolina Hurricanes orgization in the 2006-2007 seasons after finishing his 4-season tour with the Owen Sound Attack of the OHL.  The Woodbridge Ontario born forward skated in 240 career games with the Attack and tallying a total of 161 points while recording 492 minutes in penalties.  During his final year in the OHL, he won the Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy, which is awarded to the Humanitarian of the Year in the CHL.

Angelidis spent 4 years in the Carolina Hurricanes organization before signing with the Tampa Bay Lightning in the summer of 2010-2011.  When he entered the Lightning Organization he was assigned to Tampa’s AHL Club, the Norfolk Admirals. Mike had a career AHL best 20 goals and 18 assists totaling 38 points and setting a career high in penalty minutes. Angie was named one of the Assistant Captains during his 1^st year with the Norfolk Admirals.  Admirals’ Coach Jon Cooper always commented on Angelidis’ leadership ability, which he shows on and off the ice.

The 2011-2012 season was a season to remember for the 1985 born forward.  First Angie got another NHL contract for the 2011-2012 season, then he took over the role of Captain with the Norfolk Admirals where he played in 54 games totaling 27 points and recording 135 minutes in penalties.

While these were all great accomplishments, the highlight of his hockey career came on January 24, 2012 when he was recalled to the Tampa Bay Lightning from the Norfolk Admirals. That night he played in his 1^st NHL game debuting against the Columbus Blue Jackets.  At the games 13:20 minute mark in the first period, his perseverance finally played off.  Angelidis was able to force a turnover in the neutral zone and raced with the puck down ice and flipped the puck over the Blue Jackets goalie for his 1^st NHL goal.  It was Angelidis’ 1^st shot on net in the Show and his 2^nd shift in the NHL.  He became the 5^th player in Lightning history to score in an NHL debut.  During an interview Angelidis said, “It felt like I was going to faint and it was a dream come true.”  Angelidis would go on to play 5 more games with the Lightning.  Also while on recall he engaged in his 1^st ever NHL fight on February 25, 2012 vs. Penguins tough guy Deryk Engelland.

Angelidis is a high-energy forward who can play at both ends of the ice.  Angelidis is the definition of a leader.  A great example of his leadership came during the second game in the 1^st round of the Calder Playoffs against the Manchester Monarchs when Angelidis and his troops were down 2-0 in the 2^nd period.  Angelidis being the leader that he is went out looking for a fight and chirped a couple Monarchs until he found a willing opponent. That fight did not go unnoticed by the Admirals especially playoff MVP Alex Picard who scored 2 goals in a matter of minutes to tie the game. Angie may never be an NHL sensation, however, he will be noticed for the little things that happen out on the ice like starting a fight to change the momentum of the game or simply finishing his checks in the zone and battling down low in front of the net. The effort Angie puts forth speaks for itself.  He is a natural born leader.

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