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| Mike LUNDIN (LUHN-dihn, MIGHK) |
Tampa Bay Lightning |
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LUNDIN FINDING WAY IN ROOKIE SEASON
Erik Erlendsson writes in the Tampa Tribune, "For the 43rd time in his NHL career, Mike Lundin will tape up his stick and lace up his skates while suiting up in a Lightning uniform. Considering how the rookie defenseman has played this season, his future is sure looking up. When arriving at training camp, the Burnsville, Minn., native was an unknown. A former fourth-round draft pick out of the University of Maine, Lundin was penciled in to start the season in the minor leagues, possibly even in the East Coast Hockey League – the equivalent of Double-A baseball. But as he enters tonight's game against the New York Rangers, Lundin is fully established on the Tampa Bay blue line. He is averaging more than 15 minutes a game and is one of two Lightning defensemen to appear in every game this season." |
LIGHTNING'S YOUNG D HAS FLOURISHED
Eduardo Encina writes in the St. Petersburg Times, "For Lightning rookie defenseman Mike Lundin, the toughest hurdle of his transition from college to the NHL was realizing he belonged. "All of a sudden, you're playing alongside guys you grew up following and watching," said the 23-year-old Lundin, recalling his first regular-season game last month. "You just don't want to make a mistake because you don't want to let them down." But 21 games into the season, the Lightning blue line, the seventh-youngest defensive unit in the league with an average age of 26.63, has grown by leaps and bounds. Injuries and off-season departures created minutes for the young defensemen, so it has been a trial by fire. Three of the Lightning's seven are 24 or younger: Paul Ranger (23), Shane O'Brien (24) and Lundin." |
LUNDIN MAKES BIG JUMP; BIGGER IMPRESSION
Melanie Formentin writes for Tampa Bay, "Having just completed his senior year at the University of Maine, it seemed logical that Mike Lundin would attend the Traverse City Prospects Tournament in early September. There would be games and practices with other Tampa Bay Lightning prospects and most likely a professional rookie season played out primarily with the American Hockey League's Norfolk Admirals. Arriving at the Lightning's training camp in top condition, Lundin shined through scrimmages and preseason games as he worked his way on to the opening night roster. With the sixth spot on defense open for the taking and a handful of new veteran AHL defenseman vying for a chance to stick with the team, it was Lundin who rose to the challenge and earned a ticket to the NHL." |
LUNDIN SLOWLY EARNING MORE ICE TIME
Eduardo Encina writes in the St. Petersburg Times, "Coach John Tortorella made it a point that he doesn't want to put Mike Lundin in a situation that will stunt the defenseman's development. Minutes had been limited for Lundin, just removed from playing college hockey at Maine. But in Thursday's 5-2 win over Philadelphia, the rookie logged 21:31, the most ice time this season and more than eight minutes above his average (13:26), a sign he is rising up the blue-line hierarchy. "If I just keep playing well in the D-zone and limiting their scoring chances and doing all the little things, that's what's going to happen," Lundin said. What has impressed Tortorella is the 23-year-old's awareness. He has handled different looks on defense while being patient with passing the puck and making smart decisions in transition." |
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