Lightning sign D Matt Taormina to 1-year, 2-way deal
TAMPA BAY -- The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed free agent defenseman Matt Taormina to a one-year, two-way contract today, vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman announced. It is his second stint with the Lightning.
Taormina, 5-foot-10, 185 pounds, played 76 games with the Worchester Sharks of the American Hockey League last season, notching 11 goals and 38 points. He led all Sharks defensemen for goals and points. Taormina's 11 goals were also a career high in the AHL. He has played in 308 career AHL games with Worchester, Syracuse Crunch, Binghamton Senators, Lowell Devils and Albany River Rats. He has registered 42 goals and 159 points.
This is the 28-year-old's second stint with the Lightning after signing with Tampa Bay on July 6, 2012. He went on to play nine games for the Bolts and 96 with the Crunch over the course of two seasons. Taormina was later traded to Columbus with Dana Tyrell on March 5, 2014 in exchange for Jonathan Marchessault and Dalton Smith. In all, Taormina has played in 56 career NHL games with the Lightning and New Jersey Devils, recording four goals and 12 points.
A native of Warren, Michigan, Taormina played in 141 games at Providence College where he did not miss a game prior to turning professional. During his college career he recorded 20 goals and 65 points. Taormina was named to the 2007-08 Hockey East Second All-Star Team and received an honorable mention in 2008-09.
Taormina was undrafted and originally signed as a free agent by New Jersey on February 25, 2010.
