Center Paul Szczechura, who invigorated Norfolk after being acquired midway through the 2007-08 season, and promising young goalie Riku Helenius highlight the infusion of talent headed to the Admirals training camp today after the parent Tampa Bay Lightning announced their latest roster cuts.
Veteran center Wyatt Smith and defenseman Ty Wishart will also begin training with the Admirals. In addition, the Lightning confirmed that winger Radek Smolenak, one of the most popular Admirals from last season, is returning to Norfolk as well. More Tampa Bay cuts are expected by Thursday night as the Lightning make final preparations to begin their NHL season in Europe. The Lightning currently have 32 players in camp. Six or eight of those are expected to be sent down before the trip overseas.
Szczechura, who came to Norfolk in a trade with Iowa on Jan. 15, finished tied for third on the Admirals with 14 goals despite playing just 24 games with Norfolk. He signed a two-year deal with the Lightning in April.
Helenius, the 15th overall pick in the 2006 NHL draft, posted a 2.42 goals-against average at WHL Seattle last season. The 20-year-old Finland native is being groomed as a future NHL No. 1 goalie.
Smith, 31, has appeared in 221 NHL games and more than 400 AHL contests. The highly touted Wishart, 20, is a 6-foot-5, 203-pound former first-round pick acquired by Tampa Bay in a trade with San Jose earlier this year.
Smolenak, a third-round pick by Tampa Bay in 2005, rebounded after a slow start to score 15 goals for Norfolk last season.
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