#10: Alex Killorn – 2007 NHL Draft, 77th overall
Drafted in the third round in 2007 by the Tampa Bay Lightning, Alex Killorn has grown into the talented power forward who can chip in offensively, but can also be relied upon defensively with his size and strength (6’2″ 198 lbs). Since getting called up during the shortened 2012-13 season, Killorn has shown that he’s a versatile player who can fit on any line, mainly the top two, and play a two-way style of game.
Before getting drafted by the Lightning, Killorn played college hockey at Harvard University for four seasons and posted 109 points in 130 games with the Crimson. Following his tenure in Cambridge, MA, he joined the Jon Cooper-led Norfolk Admirals in 2011 and was a part of the 2012 Calder Cup winning team.
Killorn made his NHL debut on February 10, 2013, in a game against the New York Rangers and from there he established himself as a mainstay on the Lightning roster. In the past three seasons in Tampa Bay, he has posted 46 goals and 119 points in 234 games and helped lead the Lightning to two consecutive appearances in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The 26-year-old forward has proved his value to the organization over the past few years and has scored some big goals in the playoffs, including the game-winning goal in Game 7 of the 2015 Conference Finals against the Rangers, which helped send the Lightning to a 2-0 victory and an appearance in the Stanley Cup Final.
Though his overall stats aren’t flashy or anything to write home about, Alex Killorn has proved that he can be a difference maker in so many ways and should be a key part of the franchise for the seasons to come. The Lightning did well with the 77th pick and now Killorn finds himself among the top 10 draft picks in team history.
Next: Number Nine