History of Tampa Bay Lightning in Timeline
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team located in Tampa, Florida, competing in the NHL's Eastern Conference, Atlantic Division. Their home arena is Amalie Arena in Downtown Tampa. Jeffrey Vinik owns the franchise, with Julien BriseBois serving as general manager. Jon Cooper is the head coach since March 2013, making him the longest-tenured active head coach in the NHL.
1989: Terry Crisp Hired as Head Coach
In 1989, Terry Crisp, who previously coached the Calgary Flames to a Stanley Cup, was appointed as the first head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
December 6, 1990: Tampa Bay Lightning Founded
On December 6, 1990, the Tampa Bay Lightning were founded as an expansion team, marking the beginning of the franchise's history.
1991: Angus Montagu's Investment Announcement
In 1991, Angus Montagu, the 12th Duke of Manchester, announced plans for a company to invest millions in the Lightning. However, these plans were unsuccessful, and he was later convicted of wire fraud.
September 1992: Manon Rhéaume Makes NHL History
In September 1992, Manon Rhéaume became the first woman to play in an NHL game, and any major professional North American sports league, playing for the Lightning against the St. Louis Blues.
October 7, 1992: Inaugural Regular Season Game
On October 7, 1992, the Tampa Bay Lightning played their first regular season game, defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 7–3 in Tampa.
1992: Inaugural NHL Season
In 1992, the Tampa Bay Lightning began their play in the NHL during the 1992–93 season.
1992: Lightning Use Stylized Block Font for Player Names in 1992-93
In 1992–93, the Lightning used a stylized block font for player names with gaps in the upper loops of letters.
1993: Bobby "The Chief" Taylor Becomes Color Commentator
In 1993, Bobby "The Chief" Taylor became the color commentator for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
1993: Lightning Italicize Name Font in 1993-94
In 1993–94, the Lightning italicized the name font.
1993: Jacques Demers' Stanley Cup run
Jacques Demers had presided over the resurgence of the Detroit Red Wings in the 1980s and helmed a Stanley Cup run with the Montreal Canadiens in 1993.
1994: IRS Investigation
In 1994, the Internal Revenue Service investigated the team in 1994 and 1995, and nearly threatened to put a tax lien on the franchise for $750,000 in back taxes.
1994: Last Place Finish
In the 1993–94 season, the Lightning finished last in the Atlantic Division with a record of 30–43–11 for 71 points.
1995: Rick Peckham Joins Lightning Broadcasts
In 1995, Rick Peckham became the television play-by-play announcer for the Lightning.
1995: Detroit Red Wings Season
In 1995, the Detroit Red Wings won 62 games, which was later tied by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2019.
1995: IRS Investigation
In 1995, the Internal Revenue Service investigated the team in 1994 and 1995, and nearly threatened to put a tax lien on the franchise for $750,000 in back taxes.
1995: Playoff Qualification
In the 1995–96 season, the Lightning qualified for the playoffs, posting a 38–32–12 record for 88 points.
1996: Lightning Add Third Jersey for the 1996-97 Season
For the 1996–97 season, the Lightning added a third jersey, primarily blue with a sublimated wave and rain design.
1996: "Electrified" Number Font Used on Blue Alternate in 1996-1998
From 1996 to 1998, an "electrified" number font was used on the blue alternate jersey.
1996: Move to Ice Palace
In 1996, the Lightning moved into a new arena in downtown Tampa, the Ice Palace.
1996: 2022-23 "Reverse Retro" Uniform Design
The Lightning's 2022–23 "Reverse Retro" uniform used the design of the third jersey from 1996 to 1999, but with a white base.
1997: Forbes Article on Financial Troubles
In late 1997, Forbes wrote an article calling the Lightning a financial nightmare, with a debt equal to 236% of its value, the highest of any major North American sports franchise.
1997: Terry Crisp Fired
In the 1997-98 season, Terry Crisp was fired 11 games into the season.
1997: Earning More than 60 Points
Still the Lightning showed some signs of life, earning more than 60 points for the first time since 1997.
1998: Ten Game Losing Streak
Early in the 1998–99 season, the Lightning lost ten games in a row, all but ending any chance of making the playoffs.
1998: "Electrified" Number Font Used on Blue Alternate in 1996-1998
From 1996 to 1998, an "electrified" number font was used on the blue alternate jersey.
1998: Art Williams Buys the Team
In 1998, Art Williams bought the Tampa Bay Lightning.
1998: NHL Considers Taking Control
In 1998, due to the team's financial instability under Kokusai Green, rumors surfaced that the NHL was seriously considering taking control of the team if Okubo failed to find a buyer by the summer of 1998.
1998: Worst Winning Percentage
In the 1998-99 season, the Lightning ended up losing 55 games. That team's .268 winning percentage is still the worst in franchise history.
1998: Financial Losses
In the 1998–99 season Williams lost $20 million, as much money in one year as he had estimated he could have reasonably lost in five years.
1998: Third Jersey Retired After 1998-99 Season
The blue third jersey that was introduced in 1996, was retired after the 1998-99 season.
December 1999: Brian Bradley's Retirement
Brian Bradley lost time to a series of concussions that would limit him to a total of 49 games from 1996 until his retirement in December 1999.
1999: 54 Losses
In the 1999–2000 the Lightning lost 54 games in a season.
1999: Williams Sells Team to Davidson
In the spring of 1999, Art Williams sold the Tampa Bay Lightning to Detroit Pistons owner William Davidson for $115 million.
1999: 2022-23 "Reverse Retro" Uniform Design
The Lightning's 2022–23 "Reverse Retro" uniform used the design of the third jersey from 1996 to 1999, but with a white base.
2000: Daren Puppa's Retirement
Daren Puppa developed back trouble that kept him out of all but six games during the season. He would only play a total of 50 games from 1996 until his retirement in 2000.
2000: Lowest Point Total Since 2000-01 Season
In 2000, the Lightning finished the season with 66 points, their lowest point total since the 2000-01 season.
2001: Jay Feaster replaces Dudley
By mid-February 2001, the Lightning were well out of playoff contention and were sinking under a rash of injuries. Dudley, who had guaranteed a playoff berth before the season, was fired and replaced by his assistant, Jay Feaster.
2001: Lightning Use Design from 2001-2007 for Reverse Retro Uniform
For the 2020-21 season, the Lightning released a "Reverse Retro" uniform, using the design they wore from 2001 to 2007.
2001: Lightning Replace Fonts with Traditional Block Letters in 2001-02
In 2001–02, the Lightning replaced the old fonts with traditional block letters and numbers and darkened their shades of blue.
2001: John Tortorella Appointed Coach
In early 2001, John Tortorella replaced Ludzik as the coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
2003: Largest Crowd at an NHL Game
In 1995, the Lightning split the opening two games in Philadelphia before taking game 3 in overtime before a ThunderDome crowd of 28,183. This was the largest crowd for an NHL game, a record that stood until the 2003 Heritage Classic in Edmonton.
2003: Awards and Honors for 2003-04 Season
In 2003, Martin St. Louis led the NHL with 94 points and won the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL's MVP. Jay Feaster was named the league's executive of the year for 2003-04.
2003: Playoff Series Win and Continued Improvement
In 2003, the Tampa Bay Lightning achieved their first playoff series win in franchise history, defeating their opponent in the first round, showcasing dramatic improvement from previous seasons.
2003: Previous points record
In 2003-04 Martin St. Louis held the points record at 94 which Lecavalier broke in 2007.
June 7, 2004: Stanley Cup Victory
On June 7, 2004, the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Calgary Flames 2-1 in game 7 to win the Stanley Cup, with Ruslan Fedotenko scoring both goals. Brad Richards won the Conn Smythe Trophy.
2004: Andre Roy joins the Lightning
In 2004, Veteran Andre Roy, who had won the Stanley Cup with the Lightning in 2004, was claimed off waivers from the Pittsburgh Penguins.
2004: Delay in Title Defense
In 2004, the Tampa Bay Lightning had to wait a year to defend their Stanley Cup title due to the 2004-05 NHL lockout.
2004: Stanley Cup Championship
In 2004, the Tampa Bay Lightning won their first Stanley Cup championship, marking a significant milestone in franchise history.
2005: Playoff Appearance
In 2005, the Tampa Bay Lightning barely made the playoffs with a record of 43-33-6.
2006: Brian Bradley's Record Broken
Brian Bradley scored 42 goals in the inaugural season, giving Tampa Bay fans optimism for the next season; it would be a team record until the 2006–07 season.
2006: Greg Wolf Becomes Lightning's In-Game Host in 2006-07
In 2006, Greg Wolf has been the Lightning's in-game host since the 2006–07 season.
2006: Goaltender Changes
In 2006, The Lightning traded Fredrik Modin and Fredrik Norrena to acquire Marc Denis, but Johan Holmqvist received most of the playing time.
2006: First Round Playoff Loss
In 2006, the Tampa Bay Lightning lost to the Ottawa Senators in five games in the first round of the playoffs.
2006: Success in Extra Time
In the 2006-07 season, the Tampa Bay Lightning had one of the best extra period records, winning 15 games in either overtime or the shootout.
March 16, 2007: Lecavalier Breaks Franchise Records
On March 16, 2007, Vincent Lecavalier broke the Tampa Bay Lightning franchise record for most points in a season, with 95. Lecavalier also broke the franchise's goal-scoring record with 52 goals.
April 6, 2007: Playoff Positioning
On April 6, 2007, The Lightning suffered a loss to the Florida Panthers, and the Thrashers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes and clinched the division. For the Lightning, this meant having to settle for the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference
August 25, 2007: Lightning Unveil New Logo on August 25, 2007
On August 25, 2007, the Lightning unveiled their new logo, similar to the inaugural one but with a more modern look.
2007: Struggles on the Ice
During the 2007-08 campaign, the Lightning struggled to maintain success due to inconsistent play from supporting players despite the performance of the "Big 3".
2007: Lightning Use Design from 2001-2007 for Reverse Retro Uniform
For the 2020-21 season, the Lightning released a "Reverse Retro" uniform, using the design they wore from 2001 to 2007.
2007: Success in Extra Time
In the 2006-07 season, the Tampa Bay Lightning had one of the best extra period records, winning 15 games in either overtime or the shootout.
2007: Lightning Debut New Reebok Jerseys in 2007-08
In the 2007–08 season, the Lightning debuted in new Reebok "Rbk Edge" jerseys and updated their team logo.
January 25, 2008: Last Place in Standings
On January 25, 2008, at the start of the All-Star Break, the Lightning were in last place in both the Southeast Division and the Eastern Conference with a 20-25-5 record and 45 points.
February 13, 2008: Sale Agreement with OK Hockey LLC
On February 13, 2008, it was announced that Palace Sports & Entertainment had agreed to sell the Lightning to OK Hockey LLC, headed by Oren Koules and Len Barrie.
July 4, 2008: Boyle Traded to Sharks
On July 4, 2008, Dan Boyle (along with Brad Lukowich) was traded to the San Jose Sharks for Matt Carle, Ty Wishart, a first-round draft pick in 2009, and a fourth-round pick in 2010.
July 29, 2008: Stamkos Signs Entry-Level Contract
On July 29, 2008, Steven Stamkos signed an entry-level contract with the Lightning, potentially earning up to $8.55 million in performance bonuses.
October 21, 2008: Melrose's First Win
On October 21, 2008, Barry Melrose recorded his first win as a head coach in over 13 years with a 3-2 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers.
2008: Tortorella Fired and Melrose Hired
In 2008, John Tortorella was fired as head coach of the Lightning. Barry Melrose was chosen to be the new head coach of the Lightning, beginning in 2008-09.
2008: Active Trade Deadline
In 2008, The Lightning traded Vaclav Prospal, Brad Richards, and Johan Holmqvist, and re-signed Dan Boyle to a six-year contract extension.
2008: Draft Lottery Win and Stamkos Selection
In 2008, the Lightning won the NHL draft lottery and selected Steven Stamkos with the first overall pick, expecting him to become a franchise cornerstone player.
2008: Lightning Debut New Alternate Jersey in 2008-09
In the 2008–09 season, the Lightning debuted a new "electric blue" alternate jersey with the word "BOLTS" across the front.
2009: Future Draft Pick
In 2009, Dan Boyle was traded to the San Jose Sharks for a first-round draft pick in 2009.
2009: Hedman Drafted and Tocchet Hired
In 2009, the Lightning drafted Victor Hedman second overall and removed Rick Tocchet's interim status, making him the full-time head coach.
April 12, 2010: Firing of Rick Tocchet and Brian Lawton
On April 12, 2010, following a late-season collapse, owner Jeffrey Vinik fired head coach Rick Tocchet and general manager Brian Lawton one day after the season ended.
July 1, 2010: Lightning Acquire Brett Connolly and Veteran Players
On July 1, 2010, the Lightning selected Brett Connolly in the NHL draft, traded Andrej Meszaros, and signed Martin St. Louis to a contract extension.
2010: Future Draft Pick
In 2010, Dan Boyle was traded to the San Jose Sharks for a fourth-round draft pick in 2010.
2010: Lightning's Team Colors Change in 2010
Since 2010, the Lightning's team colors have been blue, black, and white, leading to the nickname "Bolts".
January 23, 2011: Lightning File Paperwork to Change Logo and Colors on January 23, 2011
On January 23, 2011, it was reported that the Lightning had filed paperwork with the NHL to change their logo and colors.
January 31, 2011: Lightning Unveil New Logo and Jerseys on January 31, 2011
On January 31, 2011, the Lightning unveiled their new logo, as well as the new home and away jerseys.
February 4, 2011: Lightning Distribute Free T-shirts with Simplified Logo on February 4, 2011
On February 4, 2011, the Lightning distributed free T-shirts with the simplified logo.
July 1, 2011: Martin St. Louis contract extension takes effect
On July 1, 2011, Martin St. Louis's four-year, $22.5 million contract extension, which was signed the previous year, went into effect.
2011: Conference Finals Appearance
In 2011, the Tampa Bay Lightning went to the conference finals.
2012: Lightning Retain Previous Third Jersey in 2012-13
In 2012, the Lightning retained the previous third jersey and the new simplified logo replacing the old logo in the shoulders.
March 2013: Jon Cooper becomes head coach
In March 2013, Jon Cooper was appointed as the head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning. He is currently the longest-tenured active head coach in the NHL.
June 27, 2013: Lightning buy out Vincent Lecavalier
On June 27, 2013, the Lightning announced that they would buy out captain Vincent Lecavalier, making him a free agent. The decision was based on the impact of his contract on the team's salary cap.
November 11, 2013: Steven Stamkos Suffers Broken Tibia
On November 11, 2013, Steven Stamkos suffered a broken right tibia after colliding with a goalpost during a game against the Boston Bruins, sidelining him for 45 games.
2013: Sonya Bryson-Kirksey Begins Singing US National Anthem in 2013
In 2013, Sonya Bryson-Kirksey started singing the US national anthem for the team.
March 5, 2014: Stamkos Cleared to Play and St. Louis Traded
On March 5, 2014, Steven Stamkos was cleared to play after recovering from a broken tibia. On the same day, Martin St. Louis was traded to the New York Rangers for Ryan Callahan and draft picks.
June 25, 2014: Lightning Sign Callahan and Buyout Malone
On June 25, 2014, the Lightning signed Ryan Callahan to a contract extension. On the same day, they used a compliance buyout on Ryan Malone due to declining performance and off-ice issues.
September 27, 2014: Lightning Unveil New Black Third Sweater on September 27, 2014
On September 27, 2014, the Lightning unveiled a new black third sweater, replacing the existing "BOLTS" sweaters.
December 10, 2014: Bobby "The Chief" Taylor Announces Retirement
On December 10, 2014, Bobby "The Chief" Taylor announced his retirement as color commentator at the end of the 2014-15 season, desiring to spend more time with his wife. However, he continued as a studio analyst.
August 11, 2015: Brian Engblom Named Color Commentator
On August 11, 2015, Brian Engblom was announced as the replacement for Bobby Taylor as color commentator for the 2015-16 season.
2015: Chicago Blackhawks Win Stanley Cup against Lightning in 2015
In 2015, the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup against the Tampa Bay Lightning, in the Lightning's own arena.
2015: Stanley Cup Finals Appearance
In 2015, the Tampa Bay Lightning played in the Stanley Cup Finals, showcasing their competitiveness on the league's biggest stage.
March 5, 2016: Lightning set franchise record with nine consecutive wins
On March 5, 2016, the Tampa Bay Lightning set a franchise record with their ninth consecutive win, defeating the Carolina Hurricanes 4–3 in overtime at Amalie Arena, with Alex Killorn scoring the game-winning goal with 42.5 seconds remaining.
March 26, 2016: Anton Stralman suffers fractured leg
On March 26, 2016, Anton Stralman, a cornerstone defenseman for the Tampa Bay Lightning, suffered a fractured leg during a game against the New York Islanders at home.
2016: Eastern Conference Finals Appearance
In 2016, the Tampa Bay Lightning reached the Eastern Conference Finals, underscoring their consistent performance and playoff contention.
2017: Third Sweater Not Used During all of 2017-18
A third sweater was not used during all of 2017-18, and much of the 2018-19 season.
2017: Lightning Make Minor Tweaks to Uniforms in 2017-18
In the 2017–18 season, the Lightning made minor tweaks to their current uniform set following the NHL's move to Adidas as its uniform provider.
September 11, 2018: Steve Yzerman resigns as general manager
On September 11, 2018, Steve Yzerman resigned from his position as general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and Julien BriseBois was announced as his replacement.
2018: Third Sweater Not Used During all of 2017-18
A third sweater was not used during all of 2017-18, and much of the 2018-19 season.
2018: Eastern Conference Finals Appearance
In 2018, the Tampa Bay Lightning made it to the Eastern Conference Finals, marking another deep playoff run in recent years.
February 7, 2019: Lightning Unveil New Black Uniform on February 7, 2019
On February 7, 2019, the Lightning unveiled a new black uniform, lacking any blue and white elements.
March 18, 2019: Lightning clinch Presidents' Trophy and division title
On March 18, 2019, the Tampa Bay Lightning clinched their first Presidents' Trophy and their second consecutive division title with a 4–1 victory over the Arizona Coyotes.
2019: Patrick Maroon Wins Stanley Cup with St. Louis Blues in 2019
In 2019, Patrick Maroon won the Stanley Cup with his hometown team, the St. Louis Blues, before winning two more with the Lightning in 2020 and 2021.
2019: Rick Peckham Announces Retirement
In 2019, Rick Peckham announced he would be retiring following the 2019-2020 season.
2019: Lightning Do Not Advance to Stanley Cup Finals in 2019
In 2019, the Lightning failed to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.
2019: Presidents' Trophy Win
In 2019, the Tampa Bay Lightning won the Presidents' Trophy after tying the all-time record for regular season wins in the 2018–19 season.
2019: Lightning Girls Dance Team Disbanded in 2019-20 Season
Until the 2019–20 season, an official dance team known as the Lightning Girls performed at all home games and community events.
February 16, 2020: Lightning acquire Blake Coleman
On February 16, 2020, the Tampa Bay Lightning acquired forward Blake Coleman from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Nolan Foote and a 2020 first-round draft pick.
March 12, 2020: NHL suspends season due to COVID-19 pandemic
On March 12, 2020, the NHL suspended the season due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Tampa Bay Lightning having played 70 games and holding a record of 43-21-6.
December 2020: Nikita Kucherov Undergoes Hip Surgery
In December 2020, Nikita Kucherov underwent hip surgery, causing him to miss the entire regular season.
2020: Lightning Release Reverse Retro Uniform in 2020-21
For the 2020–21 season, the Lightning released a "Reverse Retro" uniform, using the design they wore from 2001 to 2007.
2020: Rick Peckham Retires
In 2020, Rick Peckham retired after the Lightning won game five of their first-round series during the Stanley Cup playoffs. Dave Randorf was named as his replacement.
2020: Sonya Bryson-Kirksey Begins Singing Canadian National Anthem in 2020
In 2020, Sonya Bryson-Kirksey started singing the Canadian national anthem for the team.
2020: Stanley Cup Championship
In 2020, the Tampa Bay Lightning secured their second Stanley Cup championship, further cementing their status as a top team in the NHL.
2020: Playoff Series Clinching Shutout Streak Carries Over From 2020 Stanley Cup Finals
In 2020, the Tampa Bay Lightning's playoff series clinching shutout streak carried over from the Stanley Cup Finals against Dallas into the 2021 playoffs.
2021: Stanley Cup Championship
In 2021, the Tampa Bay Lightning achieved their third Stanley Cup championship, marking back-to-back wins and demonstrating their sustained excellence.
2021: Tampa Bay Lightning Win 2021 Stanley Cup
In 2021, the Tampa Bay Lightning won the Stanley Cup, defeating the Montreal Canadiens in the final. Andrei Vasilevskiy won the Conn Smythe Trophy. Patrick Maroon won his third consecutive Stanley Cup.
February 26, 2022: Lightning Play First Outdoor Game
On February 26, 2022, the Lightning played their first outdoor game in franchise history against the Nashville Predators in the 2022 NHL Stadium Series at Nissan Stadium, winning 3-2.
April 14, 2022: Lightning Clinch Playoff Berth
On April 14, 2022, the Lightning clinched a playoff berth after a 4–3 overtime win against the Anaheim Ducks.
2022: New Radio Outlet
In 2022, WHPT replaced WFLA as the Lightning's flagship radio outlet.
2022: Lightning Unveil White Uniform for 2022 NHL Stadium Series
In 2022, for the 2022 NHL Stadium Series, the Lightning unveiled a white uniform with a stylized blue stripe shaped like a thunderbolt at the bottom.
2022: Lightning Participate in 2022 Playoffs
In 2022, the Lightning played the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the playoffs.
2022: Stanley Cup Finals Appearance
In 2022, the Tampa Bay Lightning played in the Stanley Cup Finals. This was their second appearance in a row, and fifth in franchise history.
2022: 2022-23 "Reverse Retro" Uniform
The Lightning's 2022–23 "Reverse Retro" uniform used the design of the third jersey from 1996 to 1999, but with a white base.
2023: Lightning Eliminated in 2023 Playoffs
In the 2023 playoffs, the Toronto Maple Leafs eliminated the Lightning 4-2 in the first round, marking the first time since 2019 that the Lightning failed to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.
2023: Lightning Finish Fourth in Atlantic Division in 2023-24 Season
In the 2023–24 season, the Lightning finished in fourth place in the Atlantic Division.
2023: Lightning Unveil New Black Alternate Uniform in 2023-24 Season
In the 2023–24 season, the Lightning unveiled a new black alternate uniform, putting the roundel logo as the main crest and bringing back the "victory stripes" on the sleeves.
2024: Steven Stamkos Signs with Nashville Predators in 2024
In 2024, Steven Stamkos signed with the Nashville Predators, and Victor Hedman was named the next captain of the Lightning.
2024: Lightning Eliminated by Florida Panthers in 2024 Playoffs
In 2024, the Lightning qualified for the playoffs but were eliminated by the Florida Panthers in the first round.
February 20, 2025: Updated February 20, 2025
This article was updated on February 20, 2025.
