Meet your Writer - Thompson Brandes

Thompson Brandes: Digital Brand Creative Manager

Thompson Brandes is a writer and editor with a decade of experience covering sports, entertainment and culture in New York City and the Tampa Bay area. He has been with Vinik Sports Group since 2019 and the Tampa Bay Lightning since 2023, writing for the team’s website, scripted video content, social media and more. As a Tampa native, Brandes’ work touches on topics from player culture and lifestyle to community and fan experience.

Bolts Ranked ->

Andrei Vasilevskiy’s top five Vezina-worthy moments from the ‘25-26 season

The Lightning’s King of the Crease was awarded his second career Vezina Trophy on Saturday

Brandon Hagel’s Game 2 Theatrics, Ranked

The Lightning's master showman and provocateur played the hits in Tuesday's win over the Habs

The 10 coolest (and weirdest) things you can find at the Lightning Locker Room & Sidewalk Sale

You could be the proud new owner of Andrei Vasilevskiy’s goalie pads—for a good cause

25 Moments That Swung Lightning History 

2,500 games in, a look back at the moves and moments that impacted the universal Bolts timeline

Sights & Sounds ->

Sights & Sounds from the most epic game in Lightning history 

Coaches in fedoras, Buccaneers cosplay and more from a storybook ending at the 2026 NHL Stadium Series

The best sights & sounds from the first weekend of Lightning hockey

The Bolts got their first W, Curtis Douglas got his first game and more highlights from the Lightning's first three games

Sights & Sounds From a Rollercoaster Game 3

OverheardOnWaterStreet, "Classic Fans Ranked" and more obscure observations from Thursday night in Tampa

Sights & Sounds from the LHSHL Lightning Cup Playoffs 

The Final Four is set for a Tuesday night semifinal at AMALIE Arena

Retail Roundup ->

The 8 coolest (and weirdest) things you can find at the Lightning Locker Room Sale

You could be the proud new owner of Anthony Cirelli’s cross trainers—for a good cause!

The Lightning x Duvin line is a goldmine of 90s Bolts style

Eight essentials from an all-new, vintage-inspired Bolts collection

15 essentials from the Lightning’s Stadium Series retail drop

'Tis the season for some limited-edition Bolts gear

The 15 best deals on Bolts merch for Black Friday & Cyber Monday

Here’s your best chance to save big on Lightning gear this holiday season

Two Minutes for Suiting ->

Two Minutes for Suiting: The Bolts Are Back in Style

When it comes to high-level fashion, the proof is still in the player arrival

Two Minutes for Suiting: 2024 Spring Line

When it comes to high-level fashion, the proof is in the player arrival

Two Minutes for Suiting 

When it comes to high-level fashion, the proof is in the player arrival

Big Suits & Big Bois: Sights and sounds from a singular Bolts GAME ONe 

Deep thoughts and observations from Tuesday’s NHL-opening celebration

Features

The 8 coolest (and weirdest) things you can find at the Lightning Locker Room Sale

You could be the proud new owner of Anthony Cirelli’s cross trainers—for a good cause!

Andrei Vasilevskiy’s top five Vezina-worthy moments from the ‘25-26 season

The Lightning’s King of the Crease was awarded his second career Vezina Trophy on Saturday

Bolts Best Player of the Month: Brandon Hagel

The Lightning winger has put on a standout performance through Round 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs

Brandon Hagel’s Game 2 Theatrics, Ranked

The Lightning's master showman and provocateur played the hits in Tuesday's win over the Habs

The Lightning x Duvin line is a goldmine of 90s Bolts style

Eight essentials from an all-new, vintage-inspired Bolts collection

The road to gold starts with programs like the Lightning’s Community & Hockey Development

Here are the best upcoming youth hockey programs available throughout the Tampa Bay area

Bolts Best Player of the Month: Jake Guentzel

The Lightning forward brought home gold and Stadium Series glory in February

The Tampa Bay Lightning 2025-26 Midseason Awards

Some real, others not so much

Bolts Best Player of the Month: Nikita Kucherov  

The NHL's First Star of the Month finished January with 31 points

Lightning to wear Stadium Series jerseys for two more games in 2026

Starting with Thursday night’s home game against the Panthers

Sights & Sounds from the most epic game in Lightning history 

Coaches in fedoras, Buccaneers cosplay and more from a storybook ending at the 2026 NHL Stadium Series

The All Gas, No Brakes Guide to Stadium Series Weekend

This weekend has been aptly dubbed “The Long Shift.” Here’s how to conquer it.

The 2026 Stadium Series FAQ Guide

Frequently asked questions surrounding Stadium Series weekend, things to do around the bay and more

Bolts Best Player of the Month: Darren Raddysh

The man behind the many suits of Jon Cooper

Bespoke & Co.'s David Kahn has made a living making guys like Cooper, Ronde Barber, Andrei Vasilevskiy and more look very, very good

15 essentials from the Lightning’s Stadium Series retail drop

'Tis the season for some limited-edition Bolts gear

Bolts Best Player of the Month: Brandon Hagel  

The Lightning forward totaled 19 points in November, leading Tampa Bay to a 10-3 record on the month

The Backcheck: Lightning comeback thwarted by Penguins in dramatic finish

Evgeni Malkin and a controversial call put an end to Tampa Bay's third period rally

Recap: Penguins 4, Lightning 3

Tampa Bay's third period comeback falls short at home on Thursday

Mac Truck Reloaded: Ryan McDonagh signs three-year extension with Bolts

The Lightning defenseman and two-time Stanley Cup champion is proud to call Tampa Bay home

The 15 best deals on Bolts merch for Black Friday & Cyber Monday

Here’s your best chance to save big on Lightning gear this holiday season

Andy & Leah: A Gift of Life and a moment to remember

The story behind a survivor and his donor, who met for the first time at the Lightning's Hockey Fights Cancer night

Two Minutes for Suiting: The Bolts enter a new era of NHL style

The Lightning are looking good in more than just suits this season, and the proof is in the player arrival

Bolts Best Player of the Month: Nikita Kucherov

The Bolts winger made Lightning history in the opening month of October

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