Lightning sign J.T. Brown, Cedric Paquette to 2-year contracts
TAMPA BAY, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed forwards J.T. Brown and Cedric Paquette to a two-year, one-way NHL contracts Friday, vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman announced.
Brown, 25, skated in 78 games with the Lightning during the 2015-16 season, notching eight goals and 22 points to go along with 59 penalty minutes. He ranked tied for third on the Bolts with a plus-16 rating. Brown also set career bests for games played, goals, points, plus/minus and penalty minutes this past season. The 5'10, 175-pound forward played in nine Stanley Cup Playoff games in 2016, notching two assists and two penalty minutes.
Paquette, 22, skated in 56 games with the Lightning last season, recording six goals and 11 points to go along with 51 penalty minutes. His 51 penalty minutes ranked fourth on the Bolts during the regular season. The 6-foot-1, 199-pound forward was one of five Lightning players to notch a shorthanded tally last season. Paquette also appeared in 17 Stanley Cup Playoff games in 2016, posting one assist and 24 penalty minutes. He ranked third on the Bolts during the postseason for penalty minutes.
A native of Burnsville, Minnesota, Brown has appeared in 198 career NHL games, all with the Lightning over four seasons, registering 15 goals and 51 points to go along with 95 penalty minutes. He has also played in 37 playoff games with the Lightning, recording a goal and six points.
Paquette, who is from Gaspe, Quebec, has played in 122 career NHL games, all with the Lightning, over the past three seasons, registering 18 goals and 31 points to go along with 102 penalty minutes. Paquette recorded his first and lone career hat trick against the Detroit Red Wings on January 29, 2015 at Amalie Arena.
