After called Dana Tyrell up from their AHL affiliate just a few days ago, the Tampa Bay Lightning have decided they like what they see. The Bolts announced Monday morning that they have signed Tyrell to a two-year, one-way contract extension that will last through the 2013-2014 season.
A 2007 draft pick, Tyrell was in the last season of his entry level contract, so the Lightning needed to lock him up if they wanted to keep him around. He played in 78 games for the Lightning last season, averaging 12 minutes of ice time per game, and he had an 8.2% shot percentage (6 goals) and a total of 9 assists. He isn't the strongest offensive forward yet, but he is still young (22 years old) and his 33 blocked shots made him a valuable player on defense as well.
Here's the full press release from the Lightning:
TAMPA BAY - The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed forward Dana Tyrell to a two-year, one-way contract covering the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons today, Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman announced.
Tyrell, 5-foot-11, 185 pounds, was recalled to the Lightning from the Norfolk Admirals on November 23. Since then he has played in two games, recording one assist while averaging 10:02 in ice time. Prior to his recall Tyrell had played in all 18 games for the Admirals, recording four goals and nine points with a plus-3 rating. He made his NHL debut last season, skating in 78 games while recording six goals and 15 points. He ranked fifth among league rookie forwards last season in blocked shots with 33 and led all Lightning first-year players for goals, assists, points, hits (47) and takeaways (21). Tyrell also made his Stanley Cup Playoffs debut in 2011, appearing in four games of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal against the Pittsburgh Penguins before being injured. He returned to play in three games of the Eastern Conference Final against the Boston Bruins.
A native of Airdrie, Alberta, Tyrell played in 240 career junior games with the Prince George Cougars of the Western Hockey League. During his career at Prince George he amassed 81 goals and 179 points. Tyrell was selected to the 2009 Canadian World Junior Championship squad but was hurt in an exhibition game against Sweden.
Tyrell, 22, was selected by the Lightning in the second round, 47th overall, of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
For more on this signing, join the conversation over at SB Nation's blog on the Bolts, Raw Charge.