Undersized and undrafted, Tyler Johnson would become one of the most important and lovable players in Bolt’s history. Johnson signed with the Lightning as an undrafted free agent in 2011. Perhaps Steve Yzerman’s greatest diamond in the rough during his tenure as Tampa Bay’s GM, Johnson, would become the ultimate scouting find.
Johnson would play nearly 600 games in his time with Tampa Bay and produced countless memories along the way. After helping Tampa’s AHL affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals, win the Calder Cup in 2012, Johnson would quickly find himself a top offensive option on the Lightning and become a rookie of the year finalist in 2014.
The centerpiece of Tampa’s fabled “triplet” line helped drive the Lightning to the 2015 Stanley Cup Final and lead the playoffs in goals. Johnson ranks among the franchise’s leaders in the regular season and playoff goals and produced in some of the biggest moments. From a hat-trick in the eastern conference final at Madison Square Garden and a last-second buzzer-beater to take a three-game series lead over Montreal, you can’t tell the chapters of the Lightning’s history without mentioning Tyler Johnson. Not bad for an undrafted Free Agent.