Tampa Bay Lightning: 20 Greatest Goal Scorers In Franchise History

Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

16. Tyler Johnson

Single Season High Goals: 29

Career High Goals: 60

“Too small, too slow, not good enough, and won’t make it.” Those were the words Tampa Bay Lightning forward Tyler Johnson heard throughout his career, and ever time he quieted the doubters as he climbed the ranks and became one of the better young players in the NHL.

With 4 long years of hard work, constant effort, and sheer determination, Johnson finally earned the chance to prove to an NHL team that he was worth the risk, and that the other 29 teams in the league would be sorry for not taking a chance on him.

Undrafted, The 5’9 forward began his pro career with the teams minor affiliate in Norfolk, Virginia where he played for the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League. He scored 31 goals and assisted on 37 more in his first pro season, and helped the Admirals win 2012 Calder Cup.

Now, Tyler Johnson continues to excel in a league many did not even expect him to make. In his four years in a Lightning uniform, Johnson has scored 60 goals, with 29 coming during the 2014-15 Stanley Cup Finals season.

Seven years ago, not many outside the city of Spokane, Washington had any idea who Tyler Johnson was. He was just another hockey player looking to live the dream of one day making it to the NHL. Today, he ranks number 16 on our list of the top goal scorers in franchise history, and there is no doubt in my mind he could rank in the top five by the time his Lightning career is over.

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