Mitchell Stephens Signs Three-Year Entry Level Contract
April 4, 2016 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release
SAGINAW, MI - On Monday night, the Tampa Bay Lightning announced the signing of Spirit forward and Tampa Bay 2015 second round pick Mitchell Stephens to a standard three-year, two-way entry level contract. Stephens has been assigned by the Lightning to the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League on an amateur tryout.
Stephens battled injury in the 2015-16 season, keeping him out of the Spirit lineup for nearly half of the regular season. The 19-year-old Peterborough, Ontario native came back to the lineup after a World Juniors appearance for Canada and scored nearly a point-per-game, finishing with 38 points in 39 regular season games and three points in four playoff games.
Stephens has 107 points in his Spirit career, tying him for 23rd all-time in franchise history with current Calgary Flames defenseman T.J Brodie.
"The Saginaw Spirit are very happy with the announcement of Mitchell (Stephens) signing his entry level contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning." said Spirit General Manager Dave Drinkill.
"As an organization, anytime you see a young man take the next step to reaching his dream, it is a satisfying and an exciting time. Mitchell was drafted by the Spirit and has been integral to the team since joining us, we could not be more proud of him."
At age 19, Stephens still has two years of junior eligibility and could still be returned to the Spirit by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
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