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Tampa Bay Lightning Select Ethan Czata in Second Round of NHL Draft

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Ethan Czata was thrilled when the Tampa Bay Lightning selected him in the second round of the NHL draft, a moment he didn't entirely expect despite meeting with the team at the National Hockey League Scouting Combine in June. The Niagara IceDogs' sophomore centre was picked with the team's first pick and the 56th overall. Czata, who had hoped to be selected in either the second or third round, was "kind of in shock" but enjoyed the experience. He had interviewed with 21 of the NHL's 32 teams at the combine and listed Tampa Bay as one of his preferred destinations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Tampa Bay Lightning selected Ethan Czata, a sophomore centre from the Niagara IceDogs, in the second round of the NHL draft with the 56th overall pick.
  • Czata had met with the Lightning at the National Hockey League Scouting Combine in June and had listed Tampa Bay as one of his preferred destinations.
  • He had hoped to be selected in either the second or third round of the seven-round draft and was "kind of in shock" but enjoyed the experience.
  • Czata's family, including his parents, attended the draft in Los Angeles, taking in sights like the Santa Monica Pier and Beverly Hills before the selection.
  • The pick was originally owned by the Los Angeles Kings but was acquired by the Lightning in exchange for forward Tanner Jeannot.
  • Czata is expected to attend a week-long Lightning development camp starting Sunday and will return home to Brampton next weekend.
  • The 18-year-old from Brampton aims to improve his game, particularly in being more physically imposing and scoring more goals, in his third season with the IceDogs.

Statistics:

  • Czata was selected with the 56th overall pick.
  • He had 21 goals and 34 assists for 55 points in 68 games with the Niagara IceDogs last season, finishing fourth in scoring.
  • He also scored a goal and collected an assist in seven games for Team Canada at the men's under-18 world championships in Texas.
  • The Lightning traded for the pick to acquire forward Tanner Jeannot from the Los Angeles Kings.
  • Czata's family spent a week in Los Angeles before the draft, attending sights like the Santa Monica Pier and Beverly Hills.

Sources:

  • Niagara centre Ethan Czata was taken by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round of the National Hockey League draft on Saturday with the 56th overall pick. Czata netted 21 goals in his second season with the IceDogs.

Bob Tymczyszyn/St. Catharines Standard file photo

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