Meet your Writer - Benjamin Pierce

Benjamin Pierce: Beat Writer

Benjamin Pierce began covering the Lightning in October 2024. The Wisconsin native joined the NHL after an award-winning career as a sports and news journalist. In addition to writing about the team, Pierce also puts together Tampa Bay’s game notes packet for each game and assists in media relations efforts. He also co-hosts the “Into The Blue” podcast on the Lightning Audio Network, is featured on the intermission reports during the team’s radio game broadcasts, and provides video updates on the team via the “Rink Report” video series produced by the Lightning.

Features ->

Confidence key for Goncalves in recent elevated role

Goncalves found his way onto the scorer’s table at a key moment in the game against Philadelphia

Chucky’s back: D’Astous hopes to make a difference after re-upping with Lightning

The Lightning announced a one-year extension that will keep D’Astous in Tampa through the 2026-27 season

'A wild adventure’: Coach Jon Cooper hits 1,000 NHL games with Lightning

Cooper’s 594 wins are the most by a coach in their first 1,000 games with a single NHL team

Steady defense earned JJ Moser fresh eight-year deal with Lightning

Bolts defenseman ranks fifth in the NHL for plus/minus in 2025-26

Pontus ’The Backpack’ Holmberg: Strength earns new Bolt new nickname

In his first year with Tampa Bay, Holmberg has earned a reputation for being strong with the puck

Raddysh balancing ‘dynamic’ offense with ‘solid’ defense to help Bolts through injuries

The 29-year-old has stepped up as injuries have forced him into a larger role on the Bolts blue line

Tickets for Tampa: Bolts players donate nearly $200k in tickets to support area nonprofits, personal causes

Causes range from afterschool programs to mental health support, first responders and more

‘A treasure chest of a jersey’: Lightning Stadium Series threads nod to Jolly Roger and Bolts lore

Behind the design of the Lightning's one-of-a-kind outdoor jersey

Friends in the fight: Crozier inspired by 12 y.o. Parker Wears’ battle with cancer

The Lightning defenseman's strong bond with Wears began in Syracuse

Coop’s Catch for Kids contribution entitles family lounge at TGH Cancer Center

Lightning coach Jon Cooper's latest initiative offers a place for pediatric patient families to rest and spend time together during treatment

Lilleberg continues growth in second full Lightning season as team fights injuries

The Norwegian has seen his ice time and offensive production increase over the past few weeks

Family first: Darren Raddysh focused on time with his father, Dwayne, this Thanksgiving

A trip to New York for the Bolts this weekend gives both Raddysh brothers a chance to be with family during the holidays

Crozier's ‘day by day’ mentality helped young Bolt through injury recovery after showcasing NHL skillset early

The defenseman is set to return to the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers

Coop’s Catch 2025 Recap: Record donations, Remi the angler & Charles Barkley pitches in

Lightning beat writer Benjamin Pierce hits the open water for a day of fun and philanthropy

Creating Nikita Kucherov, one six-sided die at a time

How Florida-based artist Barbara Helman brought Kucherov’s 1,000 point milestone portrait to life

‘It just clicked’: D’Astous, James band together through NHL emergence for Lightning

First-year Bolts Dominic James and Charle-Edouard D’Astous have developed a friendship during their climb to the NHL

Lightning at Penguins projected lineups

Projected lineups, starting goalies for today

Latest line combinations, defense pairs, injury news from NHL.com writers

Lawless: Midway Mark Notebook

Golden Knights continuing to embrace “step-up” mentality

Oilers at Predators projected lineups

Con Mucho Hielo: The Pacific Division or the Peace Division?

Amid the recent results, the Vegas Golden Knights woke up in first place today Tuesday

A Decade of Pride: Capitals To Host 10th Consecutive Pride Night Presented by Giant on Jan 17

Pride Night Auction to Benefit Wanda Alston Foundation, with a portion of funds allocated to MSE Foundation

TD Bank to Host Small Business Takeover During January 13 Bruins Game at TD Garden

Local Fast-Food Innovator Clover Brings Their Unique Farm Flavors to TD Garden with Exclusive Menu for Small Business Takeover

Evason fired as Blue Jackets coach, replaced by Bowness

Was in 2nd season with Columbus, which is last in Eastern Conference

Point Taken – The Longest Point Streak in Rangers History

Looking back at the 19-game point streak the Blueshirts posted during the 1939-40 season

The FourCheck ->

The FourCheck: A midseason check-in with Lightning GM Julien BriseBois

The latest storylines hovering around the Bolts after passing the midway point of the season

The FourCheck: A Syracuse shoutout, injury updates and a nod to Hags and Vasy

The latest storylines hovering around the Bolts, including Brandon Hagel’s boon and Vasilevskiy’s recent stretch of wins

The FourCheck: The countdown, goalies galore and more games for James

Beat writer Benjamin Pierce with four thoughts on Tampa Bay's start to the preseason

The FourCheck: Check the spelling, media day and a motivated Tampa Bay

Beat writer Benjamin Pierce starts his new series by recapping media day and key questions facing the Lightning as training camp opened on Wednesday

Game Coverage ->

The Backcheck: Kucherov torches Flyers, Lightning have longest win streak since 2020

Beat writer Benjamin Pierce recaps Saturday's win over Philadelphia

The Backcheck: Hagel goal extends Bolts win streak to NHL-best eight games

Beat writer Benjamin Pierce recaps Tuesday's win over the Avs

The Backcheck: Raddysh, Kucherov push Bolts win streak to seven games

Beat writer Benjamin Pierce recaps Saturday's dominant win over the Sharks

The Backcheck: Tampa Bay win streak hits six games over back-to-back in California

Beat writer Benjamin Pierce recaps the back-to-backs wins over the Ducks and Kings to kickoff the new year

The Backcheck: Lightning return from holiday break with back-to-back sweep

Beat writer Benjamin Pierce recaps the back-to-backs wins over the Panthers and Canadiens

The Backcheck: Lightning give fans early holiday gift with Monday win over Blues

Beat writer Benjamin Pierce recaps Monday's win over the Blues

The Backcheck: Lightning overcome slow start for first home win of December

Beat writer Benjamin Pierce recaps Saturday's come-from-behind win over the Canes

The Backcheck: Bolts score first but Kempe and the Kings leave with victory Thursday

Beat writer Benjamin Pierce recaps Thursday's loss to Los Angeles

The Backcheck: Panthers score shorthanded early to beat Lightning on Monday

Beat writer Benjamin Pierce recaps Monday's loss to Florida

The Backcheck: Lightning come back to earn standings point in first shootout of season

Beat writer Benjamin Pierce recaps Saturday's shootout loss on Long Island

The Backcheck: Lightning scorefest continues with 8-4 win in New Jersey

Beat writer Benjamin Pierce recaps Thursday's win over the Devils

The Backcheck: Lightning trust process to split back-to-back, beat Montreal

Beat writer Benjamin Pierce recaps this week's back-to-back split against the Leafs and Habs

The Backcheck: Homestand ends with shutout loss

Beat writer Benjamin Pierce recaps Saturday's loss to the Islanders

The Backcheck: Bolts sweep back-to-back games, win streak hits seven games

Beat writer Benjamin Pierce recaps the back-to-back wins over the Red Wings and Rangers

The Backcheck: Wednesday’s energized start pushes Bolts win streak to five games

Beat writer Benjamin Pierce recaps Wednesday's win over the Flames

The Backcheck: First shutout of 2025-26 extends Lightning win streak to four

Beat writer Benjamin Pierce recaps Tuesday's win over the Flyers

The Backcheck: Four-goal first period gives Bolts win despite early deficit, injuries 

Beat writer Benjamin Pierce recaps Saturday's win in Washington

Recap: Lightning 5, Capitals 3

Tampa Bay built an early lead and held on down the stretch to secure the win in D.C.

The Backcheck: Paul’s debut goal followed by scorpion save, Guentzel OT winner as Bolts beat Oilers Thursday

Beat writer Benjamin Pierce recaps Thursday's overtime victory

The Backcheck: Guentzel hat-trick, power play lead Bolts past Devils 

Beat writer Benjamin Pierce recaps Tuesday's win over the New Jersey

The Backcheck: Finley’s First, The Tortoise and the Hare and a back-to-back split

Beat writer Benjamin Pierce recaps a split of the weekend back-to-back

The Backcheck: Bolts miss out on comeback against Rangers Wednesday

Beat writer Benjamin Pierce recaps Wednesday's loss to the Rangers

The Backcheck: Tampa Bay holds off Capitals with Hagel’s game-winner

Beat writer Benjamin Pierce recaps Saturday's win over Washington

The Backcheck: James’ first NHL goal sparks Lightning comeback to beat Vegas

Beat writer Benjamin Pierce recaps Thursday's win over the Golden Knights

The Backcheck: Lightning win streak ends in Colorado on Tuesday

Beat writer Benjamin Pierce recaps Tuesday's loss to the Avalanche

The Backcheck: Guentzel scores late, Johansson stable as Bolts push win streak to five

Beat writer Benjamin Pierce recaps Sunday's win over the Mammoth

The Backcheck: Lightning win streak hits four with OT victory over Stars

Beat writer Benjamin Pierce recaps Thursday's OT win over the Stars

The Backcheck: D’Astous scores first NHL goal, Bolts fight back to .500 with win over Predators

Beat writer Benjamin Pierce recaps Tuesday's win over the Preds

The Backcheck: Kucherov hits 1,000 as Lightning sweep home back-to-back

Beat writer Benjamin Pierce recaps back-to-back wins over Anaheim and Vegas

The Backcheck: Last minute goal sinks Lightning to open homestand

Beat writer Benjamin Pierce recaps Thursday's loss to the Blackhawks

The Backcheck: Lightning push back, earn one point from weekend back-to-back 

Beat writer Benjamin Pierce recaps the back-to-back on Friday and Saturday

The Backcheck: Lightning take OT point Tuesday, claim three of four points from road back-to-back

Beat writer Benjamin Pierce recaps Tuesday's overtime loss in Washington

Rink Report ->

Rink Report | 11.14.25

Rink Report | 11.14.25

Rink Report | 10.31.25

Gabby Shirley and Ben Pierce talk about Nikita Kucherov's 1,000th point ceremony and the Bolts' upcoming three-game road trip.

Rink Report | 10.27

Reporters Gabby Shirley and Ben Pierce recap Tampa Bay's start to the season

Rink Report | 10.27

Rink Report | 10.27

Rink Report | 3.19

Gabby Shirley and Ben Pierce talk about the Bolts' upcoming trip

Rink Report | 11.13.24

Gabby Shirley and Ben Pierce look ahead to Thursday's matchup

Rink Report | 10.30.24

Gabby Shirley previews the Lightning's first four-game roadtrip

Rink Report | 3.30.2024

Gabby Shirley and Chris Krenn talk about Tampa Bay's 8-game point streak since their trade deadline acquisitions

Rink Report | 03.12.2024

Gabby Shirley and Chris Krenn recap the Bolts' trade deadline additions

Rink Report | 02.29.2024

Rink Report | 02.29.2024

Rink Report | 2.17.24

Rink Report | 2.17.24

Rink Report | 01.30.24

On this edition of The Rink Report, Gabby Shirley and Chris Krenn talk about the Tampa Bay Lightning's last eight games

Rink Report | 01.16.24

On this edition of The Rink Report, Gabby Shirley and Chris Krenn talk about the Tampa Bay Lightning's 2024 All-Star, Nikita Kucherov

Rink Report | 12.30.23

Rink Report | 12.30.23

Rink Report | 11.14.23

On this edition of The Rink Report, Gabby Shirley and Chris Krenn recap the recent home stand & preview this week's games.

Rink Report | 10.26.23

Rink Report | 10.26.23

Rink Report | 10.13.23

Gabby Shirley and Chris Krenn discuss Bolts news

Into the Blue Podcast