Faceoff Factor

Southeast News and Notes - 9.19.08

Mike Miller | National Hockey League

Sep 19, 01:49 PM | Hype this story!

Tampa Bay Lightning name Vincent LeCavalier the 2008-09 captain.

Vincent Lecavalier was named the 2008-09 team captain by Brian Lawton, the president of hockey operations for the Tampa Bay Lighting. Vincent Lecavalier served as team captain from 1999-2001 and is entering his 11th season with the Lighting.

“Vinny has displayed exemplary qualities on and off the ice through out his career,” Lawton said. “He is a natural leader in the locker room and sets a great example for others by the way he competes night in and night out. We are extremely proud to have him as captain of the Lightning!”

Vinny was the obvious choice for the franchise after they signed him for the remainder of his career and is the face of the franchise.

Justin Williams out for 4-6 months.

Justin Williams can not catch a break. The Hurricanes winger tore his Achilles tendon and will miss 4-6 months. Williams missed 43 games last year after tearing his ACL.

Erik Christensen will center the top line in Atlanta

Erik Christensen, 24 year old center, will center the top line for the Atlanta Thrashers this upcoming season. He was acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Marian Hossa trade deadline deal. Christensen is looking forward to the challenge of playing with Ilya Kovalchuk and proving that he can handle the pressure that he did not get a chance to prove with the Penguins.
“I was all over the place. I was third line center, fourth line center, fourth line wing, third line wing. I was bouncing around constantly,” Christensen said. “It was tough to get in a groove, tough to know what the team wanted from you.”
“They sort of had their fill of scoring players. You were left to wonder, what do they want out of you?”