Forward Paul Szczechura, who joined the Norfolk Admirals in midseason and helped fuel a mini-surge, has signed a two-year contract with the parent Tampa Bay Lightning.
The 22-year-old, who came to the Admirals in a trade with Iowa on Jan. 15, scored 14 goals in 24 games with Norfolk. He had two goals in 29 previous games with Iowa.
Despite playing less than half the season with the Admirals, Szczechura finished tied for third on the team in goals and seventh in points (31).
"The way things were going in Iowa, who knows where I'd be if I hadn't been traded?" Szczechura said.
After the season, Admirals general manager Claude Loiselle said re-signing Szczechura was one of the organization's priorities. The feeling was mutual for Szczechura.
"This is where I wanted to be," he said. "I'm glad it worked out."
Szczechura made his professional debut in 2007 following a college career at Western Michigan. He has 19 goals and 19 assists with 50 penalty minutes in 67 career AHL games. He also appeared in 10 Calder Cup playoff games for Iowa in 2007, tallying three goals and an assist.
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