Tampa Bay Lightning: 30 Best Draft Picks In Franchise History

Jun 6, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Fans hold up blue glow sticks before game two of the 2015 Stanley Cup Final between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

14. Jason Wiemer

Draft Year: 1994

Position: Center

When the 1994 National Hockey League Entry Draft rolled around, the Tampa Bay Lightning had the number eight selection ready to add another key player to make up the young core of their NHL roster. After the first seven selections were made, the team selected Jason Wiemer, the rugged forward they were looking for from the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League.

Wiemer, at six foot one inch tall, 215 pounds, had 45 goals and 51 assists in 72 games for the Winterhawks during his draft year. What made it more impressive is that he did all that despite earning himself 236 penalty minutes. Yup, 236 minutes in the sin bin and he still scored 96 points. Pretty special if you were to ask us.

Wiemer would play 232 career games with the Lightning and would score 54 points, including 27 goals in his four seasons. Wiemer also continued to play that rugged style that helped him get to the NHL, totaling 391 penalty minutes during his time with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Unfortunately, the pressures of maintaining a strong offensive presence in front of the net seemed to be difficult for the young forward. Unable to recreate the magic he made with the Portland Winterhawks, Wiemer was dealt to the Calgary Flames for a third and fifth round pick. Little did we know what this would mean for the Lightning. The Tampa Bay Lightning used the Third Round pick to acquire future Conn Smythe winner and Stanley Cup Champion center Brad Richards. So, there’s always that.

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