Prospect Check-In: Duke Striving While Alnefelt Sees Dip in Game Time
The latest on some of the Lightning's top prospects
Welcome to THW Tampa Bay Lightning's “Prospect Check-In”, where we give you an inside look at how some of the team’s prospects have been performing as of late and who fans should be on the lookout for.
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Goalie Hugo Alnefelt- Syracuse Crunch (AHL)
When it was announced that Andrei Vasilevskiy would miss the start of the season some were calling for the team’s 2013 3rd-round draft pick, Hugo Alnefelt to get his chance to prove his worth for the organization. While that did not end up happening, he did start the season strong in the AHL for the Syracuse Crunch.
But, with Matt Tomkins clearing waivers towards the end of November, he has taken over the majority of the team’s starts in net for December (6 starts). In the three starts that Alnefelt has had this month, he has looked solid, allowing only three goals on 71 shots he has faced. This includes a shutout in his latest start on the 16th when he stopped all 18 shots he faced.
While only playing in 11 this season, he has tallied two total shutouts and could end up carrying more of the load for the Crunch as the season goes on. The hope is that he can continue to develop and make more strides.
Forward Ethan Gauthier- Drummondville (QMJHL)
After being selected in last year’s draft in the 1st round by the Lightning, Ethan Gauthier was sent to Drummondville in a trade that saw him being acquired for six draft picks.
After a solid season with Sherbrooke last season, the hope was that he could further improve his offensive production this year. In six games this month alone, Gauthier has been able to turn up his offensive game with 10 total points in the stretch. This includes a five-point night on the 3rd. He has also been held off the scoresheet only once this month. After being touted as a player with strong playmaking abilities and a fierce offensive zone game, this month could lead to a breakout second half of the season for one of the Lightning’s top prospects.
Forward Dylan Duke- Michigan (NCAA)
After being picked in the 4th round in 2021 by the Lightning, Dylan Duke could end up looking like a draft-day steal for the organization. Since being taken by the team, he has been able to produce at a steady rate and pace throughout his time as a Wolverine. This season has been no different.
Duke has been helping lead the Wolverines to some exciting wins with his strong play in the offensive zone and has been living up to the reputation of being a player who is willing to go to the dirty areas of the ice to make plays. This has helped lead him to being the team leader in game-winning goals so far with three to his account.
If he can continue on the pace he is at this season, his third season in a Wolverine jersey could be his best to date and could be making his next step towards becoming one of the best middle-round picks for the Lightning recently.
Forward Niko Huuhtanen- SM-Liiga
Speaking of draft-day steals, the team’s 7th-round pick from the 2021 draft could end up becoming one of the biggest steals of that draft with how he has developed and risen in the team’s prospect pool.
Known as a player who possesses good skills mixed with a mean steak and physicality, Huuhtanen has shown off more of his offensive skill set so far this season while taming his mean streak down a bit more from last season. He has cut his penalty minutes from 72 last season to only 16 in 29 games this season. This has allowed him more opportunities to showcase his offensive game, which has led him to already topping his last season’s assist total of 13, having 14 so far.
If he can continue to develop his offensive game while being able to keep his mean streak in check, using it in the right situations, he could be making his way to North American hockey here in the near future.
Forward Isaac Howard- Michigan State (NCAA)
After a transfer from Minnesota-Duluth to Michigan State before this season, the Lightning’s 1st round pick from 2022 has been on fire offensively for the Spartans.
While given more opportunities and chances than he was last season, he has taken full advantage and has helped lead an upstart Michigan State team this season. His strong skating and vision with the puck have helped him increase his offensive productivity immensely ( 20 points this season, 17 all of last season).
His strong play this season led to him earning a spot on the United States’ World Junior’s team for the second year in a row.
As always, let us know what prospects you would like to hear about, and GO BOLTS!