Tampa Bay Lightning: 30 Best Draft Picks In Franchise History
Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
24. Slater Koekkoek
Draft Year: 2012
Position: Defense
If there is any player within the Tampa Bay Lightning organization who has seen more than their fair share of obstacles in the journey to make their way to the Tampa Bay Lightning’s main roster, that player is Lightning defenseman Slater Koekkoek.
As most of you who have been following the Tampa Bay Lightning’s prospects over the course of the last few seasons are painfully aware, Slater Koekkoek has had his season ended prematurely for three straight seasons due to a recurring shoulder injury.
No matter how good of a player one may be before an injury, it is really hard for a player to develop their game and grow as a player when you are consistently being sidelined and not being allowed the time on the ice to perfect your game. Something like this is not only physically difficult for a player, but it can be mentally draining as well.
The good news is, at least for now, it looks as if Koekkoek has put his injury issues aside. Last season, despite missing the later part of the season with his injury, managed to play in a total of 72 games with the Lightning’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch. In that amount of time, Koekkoek was able to score five goals and 21 assists for a total of 26 points.
Koekkoek also made his debut on the Tampa Bay Lightning’s main roster last season, playing in a total of three games. Koekkoek has also had a taste of NHL ice this season when he was recalled by the Tampa Bay Lightning to fill in for some of the defensive injuries the Lightning has experienced this season.
One of the biggest upsides to Slater Koekkoek is the killer accuracy of his shots. Another of Koekkoek’s biggest assets is his size and speed. While Slater Koekkoek isn’t quite laying down Radko Gudas level hits, he certainly has no issues knocking an opponent off the puck and into the boards.
While Koekkoek may not be ready to make a permanent move to the Tampa Bay Lightning main roster just yet, if Koekkoek can get one or two more complete seasons under his belt, it shouldn’t be very long before we see him on a much more permanent basis.
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