Pair of Lightning prospects in Tampa for Frozen Four

Tampa Bay Lightning fans will have plenty to look out for when the 2023 Men's Frozen Four begins Thursday afternoon at AMALIE Arena.

Things will kick off at 5 p.m. when Bolts 2022 sixth-round pick Connor Kurth and University of Minnesota take on Boston University in the first semifinal game.
Kurth and the Golden Gophers enter the Frozen Four with a 28-9-1 record and will be in for a tough game against impressive defenseman Lane Hutson and the 29-10 -0 Terriers.
Playing in his first season at Minnesota, Kurth has had a productive season, scoring seven goals and adding three helpers for 10 points in 36 contests with a +7 rating. Before he arrived on campus, Kurth took in his first Development Camp with the Lightning last July.
"I think if I had to describe it in one word, it was just an outstanding experience," said Kurth. "Everything was unreal here. The people, the buildings, the places, the weather, the ocean - getting all of that in one. I can't ask for anything else.
"I think just having that and being able to experience that was just so cool for me.
"It's definitely been a special year for me and my family. We're all very grateful and, getting to come down here, it's just a dream come true. Being a Minnesota boy and getting to do it with Minnesota, there's nothing better."
Following Development Camp and entering his freshman season, Kurth had a few things he wanted to work on as he took the step to the next level.
"Playing at these next levels, you've always got to be stronger and faster," said Kurth. "I think just doing those two things and changing my body more has been a huge benefit to my game.
"Throughout the year, I just feel like I've taken those steps and I'm just trying to keep growing through that and changing my body."
The Golden Gophers are enjoying their Frozen Four experience from inside the Lightning locker room, giving Kurth an inside look at the halls he hopes to be walking in the future as a member of the Bolts.
"It's really cool to see," Kurth said. "We got out there to practice today and that was awesome. First time on the ice.
"Just knowing that that could be a possibility one day is really cool and an exciting experience."
Once the first game of the day comes to a close, Tampa Bay's 2021 fourth-round pick Dylan Duke and University of Michigan will battle Quinnipiac University at 8:30 p.m. in the second semifinal to conclude Thursday's action.
Michigan enters Thursday's contest with a 26-11-3 record and plenty of talent, including Duke, Adam Fantilli and Luke Hughes. They'll have a tough matchup against Quinnipiac, led by sophomore forward Collin Graf and goaltender Yaniv Perets.
Duke has had an impressive sophomore season, scoring 18 goals and adding 14 assists for 32 points in 40 games. His six power-play goals were tied for the second-most on the team.
Wolverines head coach Brandon Naurato had plenty of praise for the young Lightning prospect when he spoke to the media on Wednesday.
"Dylan has been unbelievable," said Naurato. "I think he might go down in history, and he's only a sophomore, as one of the best power play, net front guys ever to play at Michigan.
"He's always been a leader, even growing up and at USA. I think he just feels more comfortable showing that leadership on and off the ice as a sophomore.
"We need more people like Dylan Duke on Michigan in the future."
Duke has stayed in touch with the Lightning throughout his season up in Ann Arbor, often chatting with player development coaches and skating coaches.
"I've talked to them every couple weeks," Duke said. "Our player development guy, J.P. Cote, I have phone calls with him and kind of just go over my game and what's going on.
"I talk with the skating coaches pretty regularly just to work on that aspect of my game, and they give me little things that I can do on my own when we have extra ice and extra time."
Following Thursday's semifinal games, the two winners will face off for a chance at a National Championship at 8 p.m. on Saturday.
It should be a very entertaining, competitive Frozen Four and with two Bolts prospects in the mix, there's even more reason for Lightning fans to tune in.
All three games will air on ESPN2.