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Tampa Bay Lightning: Yanni Gourde signs a massive extension

By Jasmine Yen |
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 26: Yanni Gourde #37 of the Tampa Bay Lightning waits for a faceoff in the third period of a game against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on October 26, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Lightning defeated the Golden Knights 3-2. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 26: Yanni Gourde #37 of the Tampa Bay Lightning waits for a faceoff in the third period of a game against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on October 26, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Lightning defeated the Golden Knights 3-2. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Yanni Gourde was an undrafted player in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League before getting his big break. Now, he’s signed a massive extension.

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Yanni Gourde‘s path to the NHL is quite the story. He was undrafted and played in the QMJHL, amassing a boatload of points. In 2011-2012, he won the league MVP and the scoring title, by recording 124 points (37 goals and 87 assists) in just 68 games.

Gourde ended up signing a contract with Tampa Bay’s AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch and played his first NHL game during the 2015-2016 season. His time in the NHL steadily grew, from two games in the 2015-2016 season, to 20 games in the 2016-2017 season, and a full 82-game season last year.

The Lightning have signed Gourde to a six-year deal worth $5.2 million a season. He is currently 27 and will be 33 by the time the deal is up.

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“Yanni personifies our team’s identity with his speed and relentlessness on the ice and his strong character off of it. He is proof of how far hard work and dedication can take you, and we look forward to him continuing his career in Tampa Bay.”

This is Julien Brisebois’ first major move since the previous general manager, Steve Yzerman, stepped down. It will be interesting to see how he continues to build this team as it tries to win its second Stanley Cup.

Gourde currently plays on the left wing of the Lightning’s second line and their second powerplay unit. He is a big part of Tampa’s potent offense and is third on the team in scoring with 12 points (4 goals and 8 assists) in 12 games. His speed catches people by surprise and is a really good playmaker.

https://twitter.com/KatsHockey/status/1058420971508559872

Last season, Gourde played his first full season in the NHL and put up 64 points (25 goals and 39 points), putting him fourth in scoring on the team.

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His path to the major leagues was a tough one, spending 4 years in the QMJHL, and 5 years up and down between the AHL and ECHL before finally making his NHL debut. This shows the kind of strong personality the Tampa Bay Lightning are getting. His determination and dedication to the game are reflected in the way he plays the game and it inspires the rest of his teammates to play with the same amount of intensity he displays every shift.

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