Tampa Bay Lightning focus on forward position at 2017 NHL Draft

Samuel Walker, Center

With their final pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, the Tampa Bay Lightning selected Samuel Walker, another undersized, but speedy center. Walker, who’s similar to Guttman in size, comes in at 5-foot-9, 150 pounds and is a solid skater with good skill and a right-handed shot.

The 18-year-old center has put up big numbers for Edina High School in Minnesota, including 22 goals and 46 points in 25 regular season games and six points in three postseason games. Walker also played in four games with the Lincoln Stars of the USHL but failed to record a point.

Walker is committed to the University of Minnesota and can begin his career there in the 2018-19 season. Murray said Walker has a choice of where he wants to play next season.

"“He’s got a choice next year. He can go back to Edina High School or he can go to Lincoln of the USHL,” Murray said."

The last three picks the Lightning selected this year are high school players, and the scouting staff believes each of them has a good development path ahead. The three prospects are set to participate in the upcoming development camp this week starting Tuesday morning (the rosters for the camp were announced today).

The Tampa Bay Lightning made some interesting selections in the 2017 NHL Draft this weekend, and many of these new prospects will have the opportunity to develop with some of the best players in the world.

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This new talent, along with players selected in previous drafts, will be on display at the Ice Sports Forum in Brandon this week, and this is a great experience for them to show off their skills in front of the scouting staff, front office and fans.