Showcase marks a much-welcomed return to game action for Bolts prospects

Hugo Alnefelt said it's been April since he played in a competitive game, much too long for the Tampa Bay Lightning goaltending prospect who's just trying to get into as many games as possible to continue his development toward, hopefully, becoming a NHL goalie.
Saturday, Alnefelt, along with the rest of the youngsters taking part in the Lightning's Prospect Camp this week, will get a much-needed opportunity to return to game action.

Tampa Bay is hosting the Prospect Showcase beginning this weekend with teams from the Nashville Predators, Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers joining the round robin tournament. The Lightning open the Showcase against the Predators at AMALIE Arena Saturday (2 p.m. puck drop). The game is free, however fans must reserve a ticket on
TampaBayLightning.com/LightningLaunchWeekend
to attend.
Being able to play in front of fans again is another aspect of the Prospect Showcase the Lightning are looking forward to. Some of the players had their season last year cancelled due to COVID-19. Almost all had their season cut short in some way. Most played in front of few, if any fans.

"I think I've been lucky these pandemic years. I've played games just as normal but without any fans though," Alnefelt said. "…"I think it's just been fun to be here again. Up to now, I'm just taking it day by day. But playing a game tomorrow will be fun. Just go out and try to have fun."
Carolina and Florida kick off the tournament Saturday at 10 a.m. at AdventHealth Center Ice before the Showcase shifts to AMALIE Arena for the Bolts game against the Preds, part of Lightning Launch Weekend with events throughout Tampa Bay starting Friday.
The Lightning host the Hurricanes Sunday and the Panthers Tuesday, both games at 1 p.m. at AdventHealth Center Ice. Those games are open to the public, and tickets are not required to attend.
Tampa Bay hasn't played in a Prospect Showcase since 2019 when it traveled to Nashville and went 1-2, dropping games against the Predators and Hurricanes before defeating Washington in the tournament finale. Benoit Groulx, the Syracuse Crunch head coach who guided the Lightning prospects at that Showcase and will do so again this year, said these games aren't so much about wins or losses. Make no mistake, Groulx wants to win all three games. But the tournament is more about seeing the prospects apply the lessons they've learned during the week-long Prospect Camp into an actual game setting against opponents on the cusp of playing in the NHL.

"It's all about being themselves," Groulx said. "We don't expect everybody to be perfect in the system and make no mistakes. We want to see what they can do, and many of them we know. But some guys we don't know at all. So, I think everyone's got an opportunity. Everybody's going to have a role. We'll go one game at a time, and I think everybody's excited to play. We had I would say demanding practices early on. (Thursday) and (Friday) were shorter, so I think everybody's ready and their mindset's in the right place."
A number of the Lightning's top prospects will participate in the tournament, including high draft picks Gabriel Fortier (2018 2nd Rd.), Jack Finley (2020 2nd Rd.), Gage Goncalves (2020 2nd Rd.) and Roman Schmidt (2021 3rd Rd.). The Lightning also have a number of camp invitees like defensemen Ryan Jones, Wyatt McLeod and local product Avery Winslow of Clearwater looking to make an impact and potentially earn a contract.
With limited opportunities recently to compete in games, this weekend's Prospect Showcase affords those players the chance to show what they can do, not only in front of coaches from their own organization but also the other teams participating as well. And at least one scout from nearly every team in the NHL will be in attendance.
With so many eyes on them, Groulx said it will be important for the prospects to play within themselves and not let the pressure get to them.
"I think the pressure has got to be positive," he said. "You've got to be excited. I think the challenge for them is, the pressure is there but don't put too much pressure on your shoulders to do extra things. Be yourself. What kind of player are you? Are you a forechecker? Are you a skill player? Are you a skater? I think if you finish this camp and you're happy with the way you played, I think it's a good tournament for them. If you put too much pressure on yourself, you're not going to be yourself. You've got to be yourself. Play your game and the rest will fall into place."