Tampa Bay Lightning have certainly found a diamond in the rough with deep pick, 7th round in the 2011 draft (#208 overall), Czech left wing Ondrej Palat(12).
He was with Norfolk Admirals in his rookie campaign for their storied ride to the AHL Calder Cup Championship and scored 4 goals and 5 assists in 18 games.
He finished the regular season with 9 strikes and 21 helpers in 61 contests while going a +6 plus/minus.
Through the first couple few months of his sophomore season, the 6′ 180 lbs. forward is taking it up a notch on the score sheet as he’s on pace to post career highs for assists, points and plus/minus and may even break his goal scoring mark as well.
In 26 games with new Lightning minor league affiliate Syracuse Crunch, he’s potted only 3 goals (but that could change in a hurry with some explosive output streaks) and his 17 assists look to crush his mark set last season by a wide margin.
He’s also an outstandingly accountable +17 on the ice.
The 21-year old has always put up big numbers first playing in his homeland and then in two years of Canadian juniors before turning pro.
He’s signed through 2014 on a three-year entry level deal but that could get extended in the offseason to make sure he stays on pace to move up in the ranks with Tampa Bay.