Luke Witkowski Signs With Tampa Bay Lightning

The Tampa Bay Lightning are bringing back Luke Witkowski, after the hybrid forward/defenseman spent two years with the Detroit Red Wings. Witkowski has signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Lightning.

Witkowski, 29, was a sixth-round pick of the Lightning back in 2008 and joined their organization after four years at Western Michigan University. Known mostly for his physicality, he put up a whopping 204 penalty minutes in his first professional season. That physical play has never disappeared, and he has found a way to stay in the lineup even if it meant lining up at forward and defense in the same game.

With just ten points in 119 career games he won’t be making much of an offensive impact, but Witkowski will likely receive some playing time in the NHL next season just as he has in each of the last five. The two years will provide him with some stability, while he is also very familiar with the Syracuse Crunch from his time in the Tampa Bay development system.