Lightning re-sign Shane Willis
August 20, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
Springfield, MA â The Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning, National Hockey League affiliate of the Springfield Falcons, today announced that the club has re-signed right wing Shane Willis. Lightning executive vice president and general manager Jay Feaster made the announcement. As per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Willis, 27, ranked second with Hershey (AHL) with 27 goals among 48 points last season despite playing just 55 games with the club. The Edmonton native also collected six assists in 12 games with the Lightning.
"Shane Willis is a player who continues to knock on the door in terms of making it back to the NHL as an every-day player," Feaster said. "He had an outstanding season in the AHL last year, and he has been working diligently this summer to put himself in a position to make our team out of training camp. To the extent he is not able to crack our line-up at the start of the season, he will be one of our veteran leaders in Springfield and will provide the organization with outstanding depth on the wing."
Willis registered 32 points (16g, 16a) in 56 games with the Falcons in 2002-03. In six playoff games that season, the right wing led the team with six points (4g, 2a) and scored in both games of the Falcons' series win over Hartford.
"Shane is a tremendous offensive right wing who can break a game open by himself," said Falcons president and general manager Bruce Landon. "It's another great signing by Jay Feaster and the Tampa Bay Lightning."
WiIlis was honored as a member of the NHL All-Rookie Team for the 2000-01 season. He finished the season ranked second among NHL rookies in points (44) and tied for second in goals (20). The 6-1, 190-pounder played 80 NHL games in 2001-02, registering 24 points (11g, 13a). Willis was acquired by the Lightning late that season along with left wing Chris Dingman in exchange for goaltender Kevin Weekes.
In 1998-99, Willis was named AHL Rookie of the Year and was selected an AHL First Team All-Star after posting 81 points (31g, 50a) in 73 games for New Haven. He led rookies and tied for ninth in the league overall in scoring.
Willis has twice in his career won All-Star hardest shot competitions. He blasted a shot at 95 mph at the 1999 AHL All-Star Classic and hit 95.9 mph in 2000 while winning the IHL's All-Star competition.
Willis was originally selected by Tampa Bay in the third round (56th overall) of the 1995 NHL Entry Draft, but did not sign with the team. After re-entering the draft, he was chosen by Carolina in the fourth round (88th overall) in 1997.
In 185 career AHL games, Willis has tallied 162 points (74g, 88a) and 148 penalty minutes (PIM). He has skated in 174 NHL games, recording 74 points (31g, 43a) and 77 PIM.
Season ticket packages for the Falcons' 2004-05 season are currently on sale. Adult full season ticket prices for the 2004-05 campaign remain unchanged for the third straight season at $440 each. Youth (age 12 and under) full season tickets are available for $360. Adult and youth partial season ticket plans as well as flex packs are also on sale. To order or for more information, please contact the Falcons team office at (413) 739-3344.
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