Career Timeline of Yanni Gourde: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Yanni Gourde made an impact.

Yanni Gourde is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the NHL. Undrafted, he signed with Tampa Bay in 2014. He was a key member of the Lightning teams that won consecutive Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021. Gourde was selected by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 NHL expansion draft but later returned to the Lightning in 2025.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2011: Played major junior hockey

In 2011, at 17 years old, Yanni Gourde played major junior hockey in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) for four seasons with the Victoriaville Tigres.

2012: Signed with Worcester Sharks

In 2012, Yanni Gourde signed a two-year contract with the Worcester Sharks of the American Hockey League (AHL).

2013: Played final season with the Sharks

During his final season with the Worcester Sharks in 2013, Yanni Gourde managed 8 goals in 54 games and was not re-signed.

January 6, 2014: Signed PTO with the Sharks

On January 6, 2014, Gourde signed with the Kalamazoo Wings, and then signed a professional tryout offer (PTO) with the Sharks.

March 10, 2014: Agreed to contract with Syracuse Crunch and Tampa Bay Lightning

On March 10, 2014, Yanni Gourde agreed to a one-year AHL contract with the Syracuse Crunch and a two-year entry-level contract with their NHL affiliate, the Tampa Bay Lightning, to begin the 2014–15 season.

2014: Gourde signed with Tampa Bay Lightning

In 2014, Yanni Gourde, as an undrafted player, signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning of the NHL as a free agent.

December 14, 2015: Received first NHL recall

On December 14, 2015, Yanni Gourde received his first NHL recall to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

December 15, 2015: NHL Debut

On December 15, 2015, Yanni Gourde made his NHL debut in a 5–4 overtime Lightning win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. He also registered his first career NHL assist and point on a Mike Blunden goal.

July 25, 2016: Re-signed by the Lightning

On July 25, 2016, the Lightning announced the re-signing of Yanni Gourde to a one-year, two-way contract.

March 11, 2017: Scored first NHL goal

On March 11, 2017, Yanni Gourde scored his first NHL goal against the Florida Panthers, shorthanded on the penalty kill.

June 26, 2017: Re-signed contract extension with Lightning

On June 26, 2017, the Lightning announced it had re-signed Yanni Gourde to a two-year, $2 million contract extension.

March 6, 2018: Two goals against Panthers

On March 6, 2018, Yanni Gourde recorded two goals in a 5-4 overtime Lightning victory over the Florida Panthers. This tied him with Tyler Johnson for the most goals during a rookie season by a Lightning player.

March 30, 2018: Second most points by a Lightning rookie

On March 30, 2018, Yanni Gourde moved past Ondřej Palát (59) for second most points in a season by a Lightning rookie.

November 2, 2018: Signed contract extension with the Lightning

On November 2, 2018, the Lightning signed Yanni Gourde to a six-year, $31 million contract extension.

2020: Stanley Cup win

In 2020, Yanni Gourde won his first Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

July 21, 2021: Selected by Seattle Kraken in Expansion Draft

On July 21, 2021, Yanni Gourde was selected from the Lightning at the 2021 NHL expansion draft by the Seattle Kraken.

2021: Second Stanley Cup and Expansion Draft

In 2021, Yanni Gourde won his second consecutive Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning and was then selected by the Seattle Kraken in the NHL expansion draft.

2022: Qualified for Stanley Cup playoffs

In 2022, Yanni Gourde finished the 2022–23 season with 48 points in 81 games, where the Kraken qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs.

March 5, 2025: Traded back to Tampa Bay

On March 5, 2025, Yanni Gourde was traded back to Tampa Bay alongside Kyle Aucoin, Oliver Bjorkstrand, and a fifth-round draft pick as part of a three-team deal.